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SC allows TISL to intervene : X-Press Pearl case
The Supreme Court, on Friday, granted permission for Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) to intervene in Case No. SC/FR 168/2021, which seeks fair compensation for the victims of the X-Press Pearl disaster.
The decision came after a heated legal battle that saw the Attorney General’s office strongly opposing the TISL’s involvement.
Earlier this year, TISL filed an intervention petition in the Supreme Court, aiming to shed light on several critical issues surrounding the X-Press Pearl disaster and the compensation claims. Senior Counsel Senany Dayaratne represented TISL in court, with a team of Attorneys-at-Law, including Lasanthika Hettiarachchi, Sankhitha Gunaratne, Nishadi Wickramasinghe, and Thiru Amirthalingam, under the guidance of Attorney-at-Law Thushari Jayawardena.
On Friday (06), the Supreme Court delivered its order, allowing TISL’s application for intervention. The decision was based on a careful consideration of the totality of the circumstances of the case and the submissions made by both parties. The Attorney General was represented by ASG Nerin Pulle, PC, and DSG Nayomi Kahawita.
Several key points were raised in TISL’s
intervention petition, highlighting the urgency and significance of its involvement in the case:
1. Allegations of Interference and Extraneous Pressure:
TISL expressed grave concerns about allegations of interference and extraneous pressure related to the compensation claim arising from the XPress Pearl disaster. These allegations cast doubt on the integrity of the compensation process and call for a transparent investigation.
2. Justice Minister’s Statement: TISL referenced the statement made by the Justice Minister in Parliament on April 25, 2023. In this statement, it was revealed that one Chamara Gunasekara, also known as Manjusiri Nissanka, had allegedly received a payment of USD 250 million into a private bank account in connection with the XPress Pearl disaster. TISL seeks clarity on the circumstances surrounding this payment.
3. Claims by Chinthaka Waragoda: TISL pointed to media statements made by Chinthaka Waragoda, who reportedly invented a machine to remove debris that washed ashore after the shipwreck. Waragoda alleged that he was offered payment to discontinue the use of his machine, purportedly to prevent the full extent of the damage caused by the disaster from becoming public knowledge. TISL aims to investigate these claims further.
4. Quantum of Compensation: Questions have been raised about the quantum of compensation due to Sri Lanka for the damages caused by the MV XPress Pearl. TISL intends to ensure that a fair and accurate assessment of the compensation owed to the country is conducted, taking into account the full extent of the environmental and economic impact of the disaster.
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
