News
SLFP reiterates commitment to rebel agenda, spurns idea of national govt.
MEP remains neutral
By Shamindra Ferdinando
SLFP General Secretary, Dayasiri Jayasekera, MP, yesterday (13) said that the SLFP wouldn’t quit the dissident or the alternative group under any circumstances or help form a national government.
State Minster Jayasekera said so when The Island asked whether the hastily arranged meeting between the SLFP and the SLPP at the Presidential Secretariat, on 08 March meant that the SLFP had abandoned the rebel group and pledged solidarity with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
President Rajapaksa chaired the meeting, called in the wake of the removal of the NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa and PHU leader Udaya Gammanpila from the Cabinet on 03 March.
Jayasekera emphasised that the SLFP would continue to support the rebel group’s agenda aimed at saving the country. The dissident group comprises the Democratic Left Front, the Lanka Sama Samaja Party, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, the Communist Party of Sri Lanka, the National Freedom Front, the National Congress, the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, the Sri Lanka Mahajana Pakshaya, the Vijaya Dharani Jathika Sabhawa, the Eksath Mahajana Pakshaya and the Yuthukama civil society organisation.
The SLFP parliamentary group consists of 14 members.
Jayaskera dismissed as ridiculous a claim, in some quarters that SLFP leader Maithripala Sirisena, MP, had called for an All Party Conference with a view to facilitating the formation of a national government.
Responding to another query, Jayasekera said there was absolutely no basis
for the Federation of National Organisations (FNO) claims that their proposal for All Party Conference was aimed at paving the way for a national government.
Even if all 225 MPs came under one banner the issues at hand couldn’t be resolved, Jayasekera said. “What we need is a system change. New Cabinet appointments and filling of vacancies in State Ministries will be of no use.
State Minister Jayasekera said that the SLFP leadership had explained its position at its Badulla District convention held on Saturday (12). Sirisena had given an assurance his party wouldn’t seek to further its interest at the expense of the dissident group.
Meanwhile, the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEF) has decided to follow what its leader Dinesh Gunawardena calls a middle path as the SLPP and rebel group pulled in different directions. A spokesperson for the party told The Island that the MEP Central Committee had on 09 March decided to remain neutral.
The spokesman said that the CC had decided to protect the government while safeguarding the interests of the government and the dissident group.
In addition to Minister Gunawardena, Deputy Chairman of the Party State Minister Sisira Jayakody and SLPP National List MP Yadamini Gunawardena, Deputy Secretary of the party attended the CC meeting along with other members.
Minister Gunawardena sat along with the SLPP delegates at the 08 March meeting chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat where Maithripala Sirisena led the SLFP delegation. The government side consisted of President Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam, besides Minister Gunawardena, the Chief Government Whip.
The MEP, the EPDP and the CWC have distanced themselves from the rebel group.
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
