News
‘Revenue raised from new taxes, too, will be robbed, wasted’
GL asks govt. to secure int’l assistance to recover stolen money
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Former Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris yesterday (07) suggested that the government seriously consider securing UN support for the recovery of stolen public assets.
Addressing the media at the Nawala Office of ‘Nidahasa Jathika Sabhawa’ consisting of 13 rebel SLPP MPs, Prof. Peiris said the UN’s Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (StAR), run by the World Bank Group and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, could help cash-strapped Sri Lanka to locate stolen funds.
He said Sri Lanka experiencing the worst ever post-independence economic crisis could utilise the StAR to nab those who had stashed away stolen funds, both here and overseas.
Prof. Peiris, who served as Foreign Minister twice (2010-2015 and August 2021-April 2022), said that the assistance of the international community and local organisation, specialising in anti-corruption activities, was required as successive governments failed to take tangible measures in that regard.
The recovery of stolen assets should be a priority for the government as it was struggling to cope up with further deterioration of the economic situation, the MP said.
Commenting on the drastic expansion of taxes, as key part of the overall measures to enhance government revenue, Prof. Peiris warned that unless action was taken to curb waste, corruption, irregularities and mismanagement in the public sector, even the new taxes couldn’t make a difference. Those who routinely misappropriated public funds would continue to do so, regardless of the economic fallout as repeatedly exposed by both print and electronic media, Prof. Peiris pointed out. Referring to recent reportage on the massive losses suffered by bankrupt Sri Lanka in the procurement of coal for Norochcholai coal-fired power plant complex and the proposed elevated highway from New Kelani Bridge to Athurugiriya revealed how those who were supposed to protect public interests manipulated the process, he alleged.
Prof. Peiris alleged that Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government hadn’t indicated any interest in curbing corruption though promises were made both in and out of parliament.
Speaking to The Island later, Prof. Peiris said that both President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, PC, since July this year referred to the proposed Anti-Corruption Bill several times. However, the government had conveniently ignored the shocking revelations made by parliamentary watchdog committees and the Auditor General, the rebel lawmaker said.
The AG’s assertion that those who had been in charge of procurement of a massive load of coal did nothing to negotiate a lower price in spite of the opportunity underscored the growing crisis, Prof. Peiris said.
The former Colombo University Vice Chancellor said that the sugar scam perpetrated in Oct 2020 revealed how influential parties could even manipulate the government at the highest level. Unfortunately, absolutely no action has been taken against those responsible though the Finance Ministry assured action would be taken following an inquiry by the Inland Revenue Department, Prof. Peiris said, adding that the government should take meaningful measures to streamline the tax collection process.
Referring to the ongoing controversy over Thico Group of Companies’ alleged involvement in misappropriation of billions of Rupees, Prof. Peiris said that Sri Lanka should use anti-money laundering laws efficiently. The vast majority of people were struggling to make ends meet while the government intended to tax them further regardless of consequences, the former minister said, urging the government to review its strategies.
The economic crisis couldn’t be addressed by taxing people to death to recover losses suffered by 2020 tax cuts, Prof. Peiris said.
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
