News
Showdown looms in CEB over big guns targeting engineers opposed to backdoor deal with US firm
By Ifham Nizam
The Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers Union yesterday warned CEB General Manager Eng. M.R. Ranatunga to refrain from transferring two Additional General Managers who had expressed concerns about a questionable deal with US energy company, New Fortress Energy.
A senior engineer told The Island that they had warned the General Manager against any action taken to transfer targeted Addl. General Managers from their posts.
“We have informed him of intention to intervene as a trade union in such an event and engage in trade union action to protect the rights of our members, the purpose for which trade unions are established. Further if any such transfer is effected,” he added.
CEBEU President Eng. Saumya Kumarawadu told The Island that when they asked CEB Chairman M.M.C Ferdinando not to force employees work against their conscience, the latter had said they were looking for people who were flexible with the rules.
In a letter to the General Manager the Union has said: “You have callously disregarded our request and executed transfers of two of our members by way of your letter DGM (P)/ HRM (RP&DM)/RPI/62 Vol.II dated 16th November 2021, thus confirming the pre warnings received by the CEBEU well in advance from various sections about the clandestine move afloat to remove from posts very senior engineers, who are giving their honest opinion against the disgraceful New Fortress Energy deal.
“We have also noted that you have completely disregarded the existing Transfer Rules of CEB as established since 1995, and merely communicated the transfers of two AGMs, “as decided by the Board” to them, whereas it is you as the GM who has the authority to carry out transfer orders as per the Transfer Rules of CEB. We wish to remind you that it is the General Manager of CEB who was given the administrative control of the employees of CEB by the CEB Act. It appears that you are merely acting under the dictation of the Board, probably to please the present Chairman, to secure any benefit beyond your scheduled retirement on 12thJanuary 2022, and thereby undermining the position you are holding and in violation of the Rules you need to uphold.”
Engineers also said that the motive behind this AGM shuffle is to get rid of Eng. G.J. Aluthge, the most experienced special class officer in CEB on matters pertaining to transmission business, system operations, and IPP power purchases, all valuable knowledge to take a proper decision pertaining to supplying LNG to the country, from the post of Addl. GM Transmission, and replace him with another senior engineer who has zero experience on transmission related matters.
“It is no secret that you support the illegal NFE deal, undermining the efforts of the own organization you are heading to procure LNG competitively. However, by taking further steps in violation of established Rules in CEB that also adversely effects our individual members, you have extended your conduct to a level that we cannot tolerate any further”, CEBEU told the General Manager.
They also informed that they were taking trade union action against transfer of the two AGMs and directly instructing them not to carry out instructions as contained “in your illegal transfer letter dated 16th November 2021, which is nothing but a mere communication of a decision of the Board ‘’.
“we have instructed two of our members not to carry out the instruction as contained in the General Manager’s letter and hold on to the status quo as at present until the matter is resolved.”
The union demanded the General Manager to immediately recall the transfer letter and cancel the same as it is unlawful, arbitrary, carried out with ulterior motives and in bad faith.
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
