News
Release of Bathiudeen’s brother:
AG finds fault with CID
‘Suspect received 7 calls from Cinnamon Grand bomber’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Attorney General Dappula de Livera, PC, has asserted that the release of Riyaj Bathiudeen arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) on April 14, 2020 over his alleged involvement with those allegedly involved in the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks cannot be justified under any circumstances.
Riyaj is the younger brother of former Minister Rishard Bathiudeen, who is also under investigation in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks.
The AG expressed this view after meeting the DIG, CID Prasad Ranasinghe, CID Director Prasanna de Alwis, ASP Vijitha Perera and Chief Inspector Sugath Kumara at the AG’s Department, on Monday (12).
The AG called for a special meeting in the wake of allegations DIG Ranasinghe’s predecessor DIG Nuwan Wedasinghe authorised the suspect’s release under controversial circumstances.
During yesterday’s meeting, it transpired that both DIG Wedasinghe and SSP de Silva had failed in their duties as regards Riyaj Bathiudeen’s investigation.
AG’s Coordinating Officer State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne told The Island that the primary reason for Riyaj Bathiudeen’s arrest was his receiving seven telephone calls from Inshaf Ahamed, 36, who carried out the suicide attack on Cinnamon Grand Hotel. Ahamed owned the Wellampitiya copper factory, where explosive packed backpacks were alleged to have been made. Ahamed’s brother, Illham Ibrahim, 38, carried out attacks on Shangri-la along with Thawheed mastermind Zahran Hashim.
The AG found fault with the former DIG, CID and incumbent Director, CID for Riyaj Bathiudeen’s release on Oct 30.
The AG also noted serious lapses on the part of the CID in investigating certain aspects of the probe such as money laundering, terrorism financing, etc. Sources said that controversy surrounds a decision to hand over such an important investigation into clandestine financial transaction and related matters to an officer wholly incapable of handling it.
Out the 16 mobile phones used by Riyaj Bathiudeen, the police had been able to recover six and there was evidence to suggest that no serious been made by the CID to recover all of them, sources said.
The AG has issued written instructions to the police as regards the investigation asking for a comprehensive report within a month.
The AG called yesterday’s meeting in the wake of over 100 SLPP lawmakers requesting President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to re-arrest Riyaj.
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
