News
SJB challenges FM’s claim that contaminated fertiliser only a commercial issue
‘Hasn’t AG obtained enjoining order against Chinese company?’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris says the current dispute over a contaminated consignment of carbonic fertiliser from China is not a diplomatic issue and shouldn’t be considered a row between China and Sri Lanka.
The Minister said so when the media sought his views on Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co Ltd sending a letter of demand to Dr. W.A.R.T. Wickramaarachchi, the Additional Director of the Plant Quarantine Service over a report issued under his signature that declared a sample of solid organic fertiliser sent by the Chinese company is contaminated.
The media took up the issue at the weekly SLPP briefing at the party office in Battaramulla.
Prof. Peiris emphasised that legal action had been initiated by the company concerned, not the Chinese government. The Minister said that the government couldn’t interfere with the decision taken by the Chinese company to move the court.
Both Prof. Peiris, who is also the SLPP Chairman and SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam emphasized that it was a commercial transaction between two private parties. Asked whether China resorting to legal measures against a government official undermined Sri Lanka, Attorney-at-Law Kariyawasam urged the media not to interpret the developments wrongly.
Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) lawmaker Rohini Kaviratne said that the SLPP had quiet and conveniently forgotten the Attorney General on behalf of the government had moved the Colombo Commercial High Court not only against Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co Ltd but its local agent Chelinaa Capital Corporation Pvt Limited as well as the People’s Bank to prevent payment for the consignment.
The Matale District MP pointed out that following the court action initiated by the AG, China swiftly blacklisted the People’s Bank.
The situation remained quite problematic with the court extending the enjoining order issued to the People’s Bank and local shipping company preventing payment till Nov 19, MP Kaviratne said.
Responding to another query, the SJB MP said that the government owed an explanation as to why the services of a local agent was required as the government owned Ceylon Fertilizer Company could have dealt with the importation of carbonic fertilizer. MP Kaviratne said that the government could have handled the matter in a transparent way.
“The Foreign Ministry seems to be unaware of what is going on,” the MP said, pointing out that Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co Ltd issued statements as regards developments through the Chinese Embassy in Colombo. The MP urged the government to examine the whole issue as quickly as possible to prevent further deterioration of relations with China.
She insisted Sri Lanka should never accept contaminated fertiliser. However, the government should prove its case against the Chinese company, the MP said. Noting that the original order placed with the Chinese company was for a staggering 99,000 metric tonnes of carbonic fertilizer, MP Kaviratne asked how the government intended to provide the required quantity. “We are well into the Maha season. Yet, farmers do not know whether they’ll receive fertilizer,” the MP said.
The SJB official said that both Chinese fertilizer and the import of liquid nano-nitrogen from India had been mired in controversy with Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera seeking the intervention of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over the reportage of very serious accusations made in Parliament by the JVP in respect of Indian fertilizer.
The SJB MP challenged the government to come clean on fertilizer imports.
MP Kaviratne asked whether the government would defend the state official faced with legal action. The lawyers representing the Chinese firm had asked for USD 8 mn in compensation, the MP pointed out, urging the government to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation.
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
