News
Ranawaka wants country’s defence strategy focused on Navy
By Samna Indrajith
SJB Colombo District MP Patali Champika Ranawaka said, on Thursday, that Sri Lanka’s defence strategy should have its focus on developing the Navy.
Participating in the third reading debate on Budget 2021 under the expenditure heads of ministries of Defence and Public Security, MP Ranawaka said that countries with a bigger landmass prepared their defence strategies focussed on ground forces, while smaller countries such as Britain and the Netherlands concentrated more on their naval power. “Sri Lanka with a sea area 23 times larger than its landmass too should think on the same lines. The United Nations is going to announce the exclusive sea zone belonging to Sri Lanka in the future. Therefore, I propose that our defence strategy, too, should be prepared giving more weight to the Navy.
“We must not forget how the LTTE could make use of our foreign policy that was changed under the JR Jayewardene government to become a pro-American country during the times when Russia and the US were in a power struggle. Again a similar situation is cropping up. We recently saw the QUAD security arrangement. A new strategic alliance by the name of Quadrilateral Security Dialogue was formed by the United States, Japan, Australia and India. This is against the Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean. It has been dubbed the Asian NATO. If we are going to take sides in this struggle of a new cold war our security and economy will be in danger. We should therefore maintain a non-aligned policy. I think that all our governments should follow Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike government’s policy of keeping Indian Ocean a peace zone.
At the time of the end of the war, our Navy gained international attention by maintaining a reliable sea supply route. It maintained those supplies amidst Sea Tiger attacks. The Navy could convert that fame into a successful revenue earning venture but it was handed over to a private businessman in 2012. He pocketed over Rs. 12,000 million. When we came to power we got it transferred to the navy. We hope that the fame the Navy won by dedicative service would not be allowed to be exploited by businessmen again. Today, the Somalia pirate problem is not that strong but our naval force still could become the strongest Navy in providing security services in this region.
“Today, technology plays a pivotal role in defence affairs the world over. Recently, the leading nuclear expert of Iran was assassinated. Prior to that Qasem Soleimani, leader of Iranian Quds Force was assassinated. Both assassinations were not carried out by persons but automatic electronic devices. The defence forces must get ready to be aware of digital technology and latest innovations of cyber warfare. But in our country if our authorities get hold of such technology it would be used to hunt opposition politicians and to listen to their telephone conversations,.”
Ranawaka said that the head of State and Chief Executive holding the defence portfolio was better for the national interest and it was a positive sign that confusion caused by the President not holding those portfolios had been put to an end.
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
