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SLPP MPs not consulted on ETCA, alleges govt. member
By Shamindra Ferdinando
SLPP parliamentary group member Sarath Weerasekera yesterday (11) took exception to a government decision to finalise technical level talks on the proposed Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) with India before the end of March this year.
The issue hadn’t been taken up at a government parliamentary group at any level or discussed in Parliament, the former Public Security Minister told The Island. The government parliamentary group consists of SLPP, three MEP MPs, including Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, one UNP MP, one TMVP MP, two EPDP MPs and two CWC MPs.
Referring to a recent statement attributed to Cabinet spokesman Bandula Gunawardena, regarding the status of ETCA negotiations, the Colombo District MP said that such a far reaching agreement couldn’t be finalised without proper consultations.
The ruling SLPP should state its position on ETCA without delay, MP Weerasekera said, urging President Ranil Wickremesinghe not to exploit the continuing political, economic and social crisis to advance his agenda.
Responding to The Island queries, the SLPP MP said that the two countries suspended talks on ETCA in 2018 following a spate of protests here. Negotiations commenced in 2016, between Modi’s India and the Yahapalana government, a year after Mahinda Rajapaksa’s defeat at the 2015 presidential election.
The then President Maithripala Sirisena in late March 2016 strongly defended ETCA, alleging protests against the move were politically motivated.
Lawmaker Weerasekera said that Sri Lanka deeply appreciated unprecedented Indian support during the 2022 economic crisis but it wouldn’t be fair to take advantage of a hapless country.
MP Weerasekera said that the two governments resumed talks on ETCA soon after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s ouster in July 2022. The former Navy Chief of Staff declared that the UNP leader, elected by Parliament to complete the remainder of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s term, shouldn’t have resumed talks on ETCA under any circumstances.
Commenting on MP Weerasekera’s sudden criticism directed at ETCA, sources pointed out that during the 2016-2018 period there had been altogether 11 rounds of talks. The 12th round of talks was held in Colombo from Oct 30, 2023 to Nov 1, sources said, adding that the Cabinet spokesman briefed the media in the first week of Dec 2023 in this regard.
According to Minister Gunawardena, the Cabinet approved President Wickremesinghe’s proposal regarding ETCA meant to boost Sri Lanka’s efforts to achieve export-led economic recovery.
Sri Lanka and India signed a Free Trade Agreement on Dec 28, 1998 during Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga’s tenure as the President. The FTA came into operation on March 1, 2000.
Sources said after the conclusion of the 12th round of talks in Colombo, both parties announced details. According to media statements issued in the first week of Nov 2023, discussions covered various chapters including Trade in Goods, Technical Barriers to Trade, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Trade in Services, Custom Procedure & Trade Facilitation, Rules of Origin, Trade Remedies, Economic & Technology Cooperation and Dispute Settlement. Sources emphasized that negotiations were held in an open and transparent manner.
The Sri Lankan delegation was led by K J Weerasinghe, Chief Negotiator, and the Indian delegation was led by Shri Anant Swarup, Joint Secretary in the Department of Commerce, Government & Chief Negotiator.
The Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a statement that during 12th round of talks both sides reviewed the progress on implementation and decided to drop nine issues as being resolved. Issues such as the quota on apparel and pepper and the procurement of pharmaceuticals were also discussed and both sides decided to continue the discussion and explore new options for resolution of the matter, the Indian Ministry said.
MP Weerasekera said that the SLPP couldn’t keep quiet over a fresh move on ETCA after having vigorously opposed the agreement during the Yahapalana administration. The MP acknowledged that the SLPP was experiencing a catch 22 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
