News
Rebels to launch new alliance, initiate talks with GL-Dallas group
‘All-Party initiative dead horse’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
A disgruntled section of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) intends to launch a new coalition, on Sunday (04), against President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government.
The group includes former SLPP ministers Vasudeva Nanayakkara (Democratic Left Front), Wimal Weerawansa (Jathika Nidahas Peramuna) and Udaya Gammanpila (Pivithuru Hela Urumaya). The new alliance would be launched at the National Youth Services Council, Maharagama, at 3 pm with the participation of rebel members. The CP, LSSP and Yuthukama Jathika Sanvidhanaya, too, are members of the coalition. They are all constituents of the SLPP grouping.The rebel group consists of 12 lawmakers, including one National List member Gevindu Cumaratunga, all elected /appointed on the SLPP ticket. The SLPP won 145 seats, including 17 National List slots at the last general election.
In addition to them, Ven. Atureliye Rathana thera, appointed member of the Our Power of People Party (OPPP) has joined the grouping.The SLPP rebel group said that they would press President Wickremesinghe to call an early general election challenging the government claim of inability to hold polls as the country continued to experience political instability. The much-touted All-Party Government (APG) seemed nothing but a dead horse, the group said, urging President Wickremesinghe and the SLPP to give up the idea.
The group acknowledged that some of those who had been involved in the original protest campaign launched against the Yugadanavi deal finalized in Sept last year wouldn’t be joining the new coalition for the moment.The 14-member SLFP parliamentary group and lawmakers A.L.M. Athaulla, Tiran Alles and Asanka Navaratne representing different political parties backed the high profile anti-Yugadanavi deal campaign. Since then Alles (SLPP National List) has accepted a ministerial portfolio.
At a recent meeting of the rebel group held at the CP office at Borella, NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa emphasized the need for a wider national programme to address the grievances of the public. The former minister said that the new alliance should redirect the country on the right path. Among those present on the occasion was SLPP MP Premanath Dolawatta, convenor of Sathya Gaweshakayo.In the wake of SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris declaring in parliament last Friday (Aug 31) that a group of 13 SLPP members, including himself would function as an independent group, PHU leader Gammanpila said that they could now enter into talks with 13 rebels to explore ways and means of reaching a consensus.
The 13-member group consist of Prof. Peiris, Dullas Alahapperuma, Dilan Perera, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Prof. Charitha Herath, Prof. Channa Jayasumana, K.P.S. Kumarasiri, Dr. Gunapala Ratnasekera, Wasantha Yapa Bandara, Tilak Rajapaksa, Lalith Ellawela, Udayana Kirindigoda and Upul Galappatti.
Responding to The Island query, the Attorney-at-Law Gammanpila said: “Our group backed Dallas Alahapperuma at the presidential contest conducted on July 20. We couldn’t initiate talks as they remained members of the SLPP. With the announcement made by Prof. Peiris, that obstacle has been removed. We have prepared a common programme. Therefore, we can now enter into talks based on that programme.”
The SLPP rebels and the main Opposition party the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) voted for MP Alahapperuma, who polled 82 votes. The winner Wickremesinghe secured 134 votes in spite of the UNP with just a single vote of his. The SJB won 54 seats at the last general election. Of them, Manusha Nanayakkara and Harin Fernando have accepted ministerial portfolios against the wishes of the party.
Political sources said that the SLFP has been deeply divided over its strategy due to two seniors Nimal Siripala de Silva and Mahinda Amaraweera accepting ministerial portfolios regardless of a party directive. Both ministers have indicated that they wouldn’t quit the government under any circumstances.
Political sources said that though the group led by Prof. Peiris –Alahapperuma had a far bigger group at the onset of the crisis that forced Gotabaya Rajapaksa to give up presidency, some of them later reverted much to the dismay of the group, possibly due to unprecedented violence unleashed by the agitation, while claiming to be non-violent and non-partisan.Sources pointed out that of the 145-member SLPP group, about 20 had now distanced themselves from the party and were exploring the possibility of taking a new path. However, the SLPP still retained a clear simple majority in Parliament therefore didn’t expect any serious challenge at the moment.
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
