News
Questionable deal with US energy firm: Professionals’ National Front asks whether govt. received AG’s consent
Prof. Samarajiva concerned about some sections of agreement
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Professionals’ National Front (PNP) Spokesperson Kapila Renuka Perera yesterday warned of dire consequences of going ahead with the government’s controversial agreement with the US energy firm New Fortress Energy. The grouping questioned the rationale behind losing state control/responsibility in ensuring uninterrupted fuel supplies to power stations.
The agreement with the New York based US firm would result in a catastrophe and the loss of state control of the energy sector could pose a threat to national security, Perera said.
Perera pointed out that the agreement had been finalised in a way that it didn’t come under the purview of Sri Lankan law. Responding to another query Perera said that it would be pertinent to ask whether the government had consulted the Attorney General on the questionable agreement.
Pointing out the danger of agreeing to international arbitration in respect of the US energy agreement, Perera said the issue at hand should be examined against the backdrop of the debt trap and the crisis in sharply weakened foreign reserves. The PNP spokesperson said that successive governments pursued agendas inimical to the country. The SLPP government was no exception, Perera alleged, urging all stakeholders to reach consensus on matters of national importance. “The US deal is nothing but a disaster. Government cannot act in such an irresponsible way,” Perera said.
Meanwhile, Prof. Rohan Samarajiva says he is supportive of PPPs (private and public partnerships) to bring in foreign capital and expertise, but PPPs should be based on a transparent process to secure the best possible price. “A transparent process whereby we know that the best possible price has been paid and the technical criteria have been satisfied.” He said it was certainly not the case as regards what he called a cloudy transaction involving the government of Sri Lanka and the US-based gas-to-power developer New Fortress Energy.
The one-time Director General of Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) and political analyst said so when The Island sought his opinion on the US investment on the Yugadanavi power plant aka Kerawalapitiya power station operated by the West Coast Power Limited and the New Fortress Energy receiving the right to build a new LNG plant off Colombo.
The 300MW plant is owned by the country’s largest power supplier LTL Holdings, which is under government control.
Commenting on the recently concluded power deal, Prof. Samarajiva expressed serious concerns over certain provisions in the agreement. One-time DG, Sri Lanka Telecom recalled how exclusivity provisions given to Japan’s Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp (NTT) in respect of SLT caused serious issues. Prof. Samarajiva said: “In respect of the agreement with New Fortress Energy, the exclusivity provisions that have been reported are worrisome. I had enormous problems with the five year exclusivity given to NTT when they entered into a PPP on SLT in 1997. The excuse was that it was war time (true) and the rate rebalancing had to be completed (somewhat true). There is no war now, and there is no reason to give a broad exclusivity. If it is not time bound, it’s a recipe for disaster.”
Commenting on the challenges faced by Sri Lanka, Prof. Samarajiva said now that Chinese leader Xi Jinping has announced that China will no longer build coal plants abroad, there wouldn’t be any more additions to Norochcholai. “We need baseload capacity, so I guess LNG is the right fuel. But this must be placed in the larger context of the potential use for cooking and automotive uses. This seems disconnected from a larger plan. Should this be in Kerawalapitiya or in Hambantota/Trinco? Perhaps the right answer is Kerawalapitiya, but the assessment should have been done.”
The Island: At a time, the government has invited foreign investment with the focus on the Colombo Port City, how do you see the growing opposition to the US firm investing in the energy sector here?
Prof. Samarajiva: “The government is hobbled because of the cheap sloganeering while in opposition. But if they admit fault and speak the truth to people I believe it’s possible to marginalize Minister Wimal Weerawansa and his ilk.”
The Island: Do you think the government and the Opposition should seek a consensus on vital national matters such as foreign investments in key sectors?
Prof. Samarajiva:”Absolutely. We need bipartisan approaches to infrastructure.”
The Island: What should be the role of the parliament in such an endeavour?
Prof. Samarajiva: “I believe the crisis has reached a level where a national government should be formed. Parliament is where we should start.”
Prof. Samarajiva said that with the national economy in tatters in the wake of unprecedented devastation caused by the raging Covid-19 epidemic, the country was in such a deepening crisis the Parliament should move as an institution.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
