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Ranawaka calls for novel digital security sticker as key weapon against counterfeit stickers in liquor bottles
Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Ways and Means, MP Patali Champika Ranawaka, last week proposed the introduction of a standardized digital security sticker for all alcohol manufacturers. The move aims to address the rising issue of counterfeit security stickers that have plagued the industry, parliament sources said.
Addressing a meeting with Excise Department top brass and Finance Ministry officials at a committee room in the parliamentary complex, Ranawaka emphasized that the proposed security sticker should provide consumers with the means to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit alcohol products through the use of QR codes. Additionally, it should enable consumers to ascertain the amount of direct tax payable to the Excise Department and the tax applicable to each specific product.
Concerning the ongoing crackdown on fake safety stickers, officers from the Excise Department revealed that raids targeting these fraudulent stickers have been conducted consistently. Shockingly, in over 90% of these raids, the seized stickers have been found to be counterfeit.
Frustration has mounted due to difficulties in tracking down the culprits responsible for affixing fake stickers to liquor bottles, prompting complaints to the Criminal Investigation Department. Determining the origin of these counterfeit stickers remains elusive, adding to the challenge of resolving the issue.
MP Ranawaka insisted on the need for a comprehensive report on whether retail alcohol establishments have removed these counterfeit stickers. He stressed the importance of sustained raids and announced that establishments producing bottles with counterfeit stickers would have their production licenses revoked from the date of the fine.
The Chairman further instructed the Excise Department to provide a report on fines collected for counterfeit stickers since September 7, 2023. Additionally, he ordered an assessment of the revenue lost by the Excise Department due to these counterfeit stickers and requested a report to be submitted to the committee.
The committee’s discussions also revealed that seven entities have defaulted on their excise duty payments. Notably, Globe Blender and Northwest Spirits stand out as the two entities that owe a substantial 1.5 billion rupees in unpaid taxes. These entities have been given until October 15 to submit tax payment plans, failing which their production licenses will be suspended by October 30.
The committee meeting saw the participation of Members of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Ashok Abeysinghe, alongside officials from the Excise Department, Local Income Tax, and the Ministry of Finance. The collective effort aims to combat the persistent issue of counterfeit alcohol security stickers and safeguard the industry’s integrity.
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
