News
Response to economic revival plan pathetic: Harsha disappointed
By Shamindra Ferdinando
SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday said that he was quite disappointed that his economic revival plan, or common minimum programme, presented in parliament on 12 August hadn’t received the anticipated response from political parties, represented in Parliament.
The Colombo District lawmaker said so when The Island asked him whether political parties and President Ranil Wickremesinghe reacted to his plan. The lawmaker said that he was not angry but appalled at the way the political parties responded to the deepening economic crisis.
Responding to another query, MP de Silva said that he had the backing of his party though there were some differences of opinion on some matters. Lawmaker de Silva said that he was ready to discuss the overall plan with those represented in parliament and other stakeholders. The MP emphasized that so far, the government had not presented a roadmap for economic revival.
Addressing the parliament, MP de Silva urged leaders of all political parties represented there to support his proposals. The former UNP State Minister declared that his plan could secure the confidence and support of the public and external entities as well.
The set of proposals has been ratified by the Economic Policy Unit comprising lawmakers Dr. Harsha de Silva, Eran Wickramaratne and Kabir Hashim. It has been endorsed by SJB leader Sajith Premadasa.
The blueprint dealt with (1) debt crisis management (2) monetary and exchange rate policy (3) revenue consolidation (4) expenditure control (5) public sector management (6) energy and utilities reform (7) trade, agriculture, industry and service promotion (8) factor market reform (9) stronger social safety nets and (10) transparency and accountability.
The MP pointed out that though Sri Lanka received USD 4 bn Indian assistance via credit lines, currency swaps etc., this year, ongoing talks with Japan, China, Middle East countries and Russia hadn’t produced the desired results. Declaring that the country was in dire straits, MP de Silva questioned the inordinate delay on the part of the government seeking a consensus on an economic recovery plan.
Referring to emergency assistance provided by the US, Australia and EU, Dr. de Silva said that the much-needed Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) couldn’t be secured until the government achieved significant progress in what he called debt restructuring talks. Asserting that Sri Lanka couldn’t do without short-term bridging financing from friendly countries such as credit lines for imports, foreign currency swaps or barter trade, Dr.de Silva said that privatization, too, was an option. However, the MP warned against privatization sans proper procedures. The consequences would be catastrophic, the lawmaker added.
Recently, dissident SLPP MP Dr. Nalaka Godahewa accused the government of planning to privatize Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC) and Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT). One-time private sector executive alleged the government exploited the current financial turmoil to sell off profit making enterprises. Dr. Godahewa told The Island that there was broad consensus on the need to restructure loss-making state enterprises but the government seemed to be bent on selling off valuable assets.
Pointing out that Sri Lanka was the only country in Asia to default on foreign debt in half a century, MP de Silva emphasized that unbridled corruption contributed to the deterioration of the national economy over the past several decades to such an extent finally the Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe acknowledged Sri Lanka’s inability to service its foreign debt.
The former UNPer called for the enactment of strong anti-corruption legislation and the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
Dr. de Silva recently received appointment as Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF), one of the three parliamentary watchdog committees meant to ensure financial integrity in the public sector. The top SJB official succeeded Kurunegala district SLPP MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa.
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
