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SLFP dissidents boycott talks with Prez over defection as PM rules out resignation
Udaya says treachery caused irreparable damage
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Ongoing efforts to reach a consensus among those political parties that contested the last parliamentary election on the SLPP ticket have suffered a double setback over the SLFP-led demand for Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa’s resignation and a rebel MP accepting a state ministry. Former President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the leader of the SLFP, has asked President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to constitute an interim Cabinet leaving all other Rajapaksas out.
The SLFP has received the backing of the 11-party dissident group to push for an interim Cabinet, sans the Rajapaksas, sources say. The President received 41 lawmakers of the dissident group at the President’s House on Sunday (10). However, Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa on the following day responded to the SLFP’s request made on the previous day in talks with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in his address to the nation.
Without referring to the demand for his removal made by a section of those elected on the SLPP ticket, Premier Rajapaksa declared he was confident of resolving the crisis though it couldn’t be possible within the next few days.
The SLFP parliamentary group has resolved to accept the formation of an interim cabinet under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who holds the defence portfolio. The SLFP, in line with the 11-party dissident group’s strategy, has also asked for the restoration of the 19th Amendment at the expense of the 20th.
However, swearing in of Kurunegala District MP Shantha Bandara, one of the 14 SLFPers in Parliament as State Minister of Promoting the Production & Regulating the Supply of Organic Fertilizer, and Paddy and Grains, Organic Foods, Vegetables, Fruits, Chilies, Onion and Potato Cultivation Promotion, Seed Production and Advanced Technology Agriculture, on Monday late afternoon has undermined the talks between the SLFP and the President, SLFP sources told The Island. The SLFP has also removed Shantha Bandara from the positions he held in the party.
Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila yesterday told The Island that the grouping decided to call off the second meeting with the President scheduled for 7 pm Tuesday (12) following the swearing in of Shantha Bandara in place of Shasheendra Rajapaksa. “We never expected the President to engineer a defection at a time we are engaged in discussions. In fact, we discussed a way out of the crisis and with the greatest difficulty managed to secure the support of all political parties, represented in Parliament except the JVP, to explore the possibility of an interim administration. We had no option but to pull out of talks. We are really disappointed in the President’s action,” the former Energy Minister said.
Lawmaker Gammanpila said that the dissident group engaged in talks with other political parties on behalf of the President and was largely successful in reaching a consensus before swearing in of Shantha Bandara derailed negotiations.
Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank Dr. W.A. Wijewardena on Monday declared that political stability and a government with at least a simple majority was nothing but a prerequisite for talks with the IMF scheduled to begin in Washington on Monday (18).
Responding to another query, MP Gammanpila said that though names of three lawmakers had been mentioned as possible defectors, finally only Shantha Bandara received the State ministerial position. Blaming Highways Minister Johnston Fernando, who is also the Chief Government Whip for the unexpected defection, lawmaker Gammanpila said that current uncertainty couldn’t be addressed by such treachery.
MP Gammanpila said that the defection couldn’t have taken place at a worst time as the Opposition, too, took a courageous stand to avert further deterioration. But, utterly foolish political move on the part of the government ruined everything, the former minister said. Meanwhile, the SLPP leadership has adopted a wait and see policy in the wake of its founder being deprived of the finance portfolio. Authoritative sources said that the SLPP was watching the situation in the wake of a section of those elected on its ticket and appointed through its National List deciding to operate as a separate group. The dissidents included about a dozen SLPP members, including Susil Premjayanth, who was sacked from the state ministry he held last year following his criticism of the SLPP policies.
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
