News
SJB MP condemns those who back 20A, having voted for 19A
… predicts disaster if 20A becomes law
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Opposition lawmaker Rohini Kaviratne lambasted the members of parliament who had now thrown their weight behind the proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution after having voted for both the 18th and 19th Amendments in 2010 and 2015, respectively.
Education Minister and SLPP Chairman Prof. G. L. Peiris on Monday (7) said that the 20th Amendment would be presented to Parliament in October ahead of Budget 2021.
Addressing a public gathering at Kirimatiyawa, Ukuwela, Kaviratne, who represents the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) questioned the credibility of those who routinely changed their stand on vital matters.
Alleging that those who were now backing the 20th Amendment moved by the SLPP after having voted for the 19th Amendment, she said were nothing but opportunists, who sought political favors at the expense of democratic institutions.
State Minister Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera was the only former UPFA lawmaker to vote against the 19th Amendment regardless of the then President Maithripala Sirisena’s efforts to ensure the passage of the new legislation with the backing of the entire parliamentary group.
MP Kaviratne said that 61 of her colleagues who voted for the 18th Amendment that paved the way for twice President Mahinda Rajapaksa to secure a third term, five years later voted for weakening of the executive presidency. Then they had no qualms in voting for 19th Amendment that empowered the parliamentary system at the expense of the President. Now, the same lot was singing a different tune, lawmaker Kaviratne said.
She chided those who now gave ‘voice cuts’ underscoring the importance of giving dictatorial powers to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the expense of his brother Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Former UNP lawmaker alleged that the 20th Amendment would create an authoritarian rule far worse than that of JR Jayewardene.
Commenting on those SLFPers elected to parliament on the SLPP ticket at the recently concluded general election, lawmaker Kaviratne alleged ‘Pohottu’ leadership enticed them by indicating they would receive ministerial portfolios once the parliament endorsed 20th Amendment by two-thirds majority. Alleging that Professors, G.L. Peiris and Tissa Vitharana routinely changed their stand on vital matters, the SJB lawmaker said that former President Maithripala Sirisena’s lot were desperate and felt neglected.
Kaviratne claimed that there were 23 lawmakers who pledged support to the 20th Amendment after having voted for 17th, 18th and 19th Amendments. Pointing out that she was the only Opposition lawmaker to represent Matale district, Kaviratne said that political culture deteriorated to such an extent today many lawmakers no longer cared how the public felt about them.
The SJB secured 54 seats to become the main Opposition whereas the UNP ended up with one National List slot.
Kaviratne asked whether the Matale district overwhelming voted for the SLPP for Basil Rajapaksa, who held dual citizenship to re-enter parliament through the National List, to abolish the Police Commission to pave the way for Wayamba style poll or for ministers to hear cases in police stations?
Lawmaker Kaviratne flayed the government for destruction of Wanathavilluwa, Sinharaja and stepped up clearing of jungles. She asked whether the people really believed the SLPP believed in fair play and justice.
The MP warned of dire consequences unless the Opposition thwarted the despicable SLPP project. She alleged that the 20th Amendment was never meant to restore stability but to consolidate power at the expense of democratic governance. The former UNP MP said that the very existence of democratic way of life was at stake with the parliamentary democracy threatened by authoritarian rule.
The MP urged those genuinely interested in parliamentary democracy to peruse the 20th Amendment. It was certainly a frightening piece of proposed legislation that could ruin the country, the MP alleged.
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
