News
Shaffter senior says his son ‘victim of a ruthless murder’
Businessman Chandra Schaffter says his son Dinesh was a “victim of a ruthless murder”. He has appealed to the media not to indulge in speculative untruths.
Schaffter, in a statement issued to the media, has spoken his heart out about his youngest son, Dinesh, and his untimely death on 15 December.
“I have been asked by several of my friends, acquaintances and even many people who do not know me, of the circumstances in which my youngest son, Dinesh, met his death and the reason for his brutal murder.
“On the day of his death, 15 December 2022, I visited Dinesh to say goodbye as he was packed and ready to leave at 4.00 p.m. for the UK with his family. He was going to the UK to admit his children to school there.
“This visit was not a holiday but a visit to process residence permits in the UK for his family, based on his residence permit.
“On that day, he was in good spirits. Dinesh and his wife sat with me at his verandah for almost an hour laughing and joking as we usually do when we are together, until I left his home around noon. He had mentioned to me that he had to go out for a quick meeting, and sounded his normal casual self when he said it. I didn’t sense any sign of apprehension or nervousness.
“Based on my interaction with him that day, I am certain that Dinesh was not anticipating any danger. So, what followed was a complete shock to all of us. I know he did not have an inkling of the dastardly plot that resulted in his death.
“Dinesh, for those who do not know him, was a very gentle and kind human being. He was devoted to his family and friends and above all, valued relationships. For years, in quiet consideration, he took it upon himself to ensure that every member of our family was not only well but also happy.
“He had the rare ability to be able to detect when this was not the case, and would do anything in his power to help when he could. He always made time for others, despite his commitments.
“Dinesh was an exceptionally loving husband and father, whose life and schedule revolved entirely around his family. He was very expressive and showered his children, nieces and nephews with endless love and affection. He consciously ensured our family spent time together, and never failed to mark special occasions by single-handedly organising family gatherings. Dinesh was the heart and soul of our family, and we are lost without him.
“He was very trusting as he was trustworthy. He was known for random acts of kindness, even to strangers. He would carry umbrellas in his car to give out to strangers in the rain. During the Aragalaya, without hesitation he opened the gates of his Colombo 7 home to provide refuge to around 200 protestors, desperate to escape the tear gas.
“One of his last text messages, sent to his associate on the morning of his death, read “the people who work at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) live in shabby property at one corner of it. I would like to look at what we can do to bring it up to a reasonable standard.”
“He was a supporter of many worthy causes, including a Legal Aid practice, to provide services to those who could not afford to hire a lawyer to defend them in court. He was also known to pay the fines of prisoners who were locked up because they simply could not afford to pay the paltry fine. This was Dinesh. He was generous and kind to both family and strangers alike.
“He lived a simple lifestyle, often seen in his light blue short-sleeved shirt and leather slippers. He disliked formality and formal clothes. He absolutely hated wearing a tie and wore shoes only when he had to, for formal occasions.
“Dinesh was also a very private person who actively worked on removing himself from the limelight. I know the publicity surrounding his death would make him “turn in his grave”.
“I have lost my youngest son who was a kind and gentle soul, one who touched the lives of many as we are discovering from the tributes that keep flowing in.
“What else can I say except that I am proud of the person that he was and the life that he lived? Although life was robbed from him too early, I know his impact will be remembered for years to come.
“These are the facts of Dinesh’s death and Dinesh the person.
“I would appeal to the media and the public, not to indulge in speculative untruths, aimed to tarnish the name of a good son and human being, who was the victim of a ruthless murder as it is the subject of an ongoing investigation.”
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
