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Sajith accuses govt. of arbitrarily ending services of employees recruited by previous dispensation
by Saman Indrajith
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on Friday alleged that the government had arbitrarily ended the services of employees recruited by the previous government to the state sector and those recruited for full time training.
Making a special statement in Parliament, Premadasa said that the President had presented the government’s policy statement on August 20th under the theme ‘One country – One law’, but accused the government of committing serious injustice.
“Around 6800 project assistant officers were recruited by the previous government as per a Cabinet decision on a full time training basis and they had reported for duty at the respective District Secretariats prior to the Presidential elections. However, based on a directive issued by the Election Commission, their appointments were temporarily suspended until the presidential election concluded”, he said
However, now it’s been nine months since the presidential election concluded, but these recruits have yet not been called for service, Premadasa added.
He said that based on a decision taken at the Cabinet meeting held on September 17, 2019, those recruited under temporary, Casual, Substitute, Contract or relief basis to the Public Service, Provincial Public Service, Public Corporations and Statutory Boards by Public Administration Circular No. 29/2019 issued in accordance with the Cabinet Meeting recommended to confirm the Management Assistants and Primary Grade Officers who were recruited on the basis of having completed more than 180 consecutive days of satisfactory service as at 01st September, 2019, this process was temporarily suspended based on the Election Commission directive.
“As a former Housing Minister, it has been brought to my notice that many employees of the Housing Development Authority are unfairly treated”, he said.
The Opposition Leader said that employees recruited to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, National Housing Development Authority, school health assistants recruited through the Ministry of Education, archeological workers, field mosquito control assistants recruited to the Ministry of Health, Samurdhi Bank and computer assistants and electrical maintenance assistants recruited to the Wildlife Department had been arbitrarily terminated as of now.
“Specifically, the termination of appointments after the government has issued an appointment letter and called for service is a grave injustice. Many of those who have been appointed have left their jobs in the private sector in anticipation of receiving government jobs, but now have to face the cancellation of their government appointments leaving them in a dire predicament, he further said.
It is normal for political parties elected to government to change periodically, but the cancellation of government appointments given by the previous government after elections is also a very wrong precedent. I look forward to the Government’s response and explanation to the following questions regarding this gross injustice,” Premadasa noted.
He asked the government “if it admits that a grave injustice has been committed towards these appointees due to the government arbitrarily terminating their appointments, if the government intends to rectify this issue or if not why?”
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
