News
SLPP MPs sink differences, ready to defend Udaya
Motion of no confidence
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena says the government parliamentary group will defeat the no-faith motion moved by the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) against Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila over the increasing of fuel prices on June 11.
Foreign Minister Gunawardena, who is also the leader of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna, said that government members wouldn’t be deceived by various strategies pursued by the SJB and other Opposition groups. The Minister said so at an event in Maharagama, where coconut saplings were distributed among the public.
The two-day debate followed by a vote is scheduled to be held today (19) and tomorrow. The no-faith motion is the first moved by the SJB against the government since last October. The SJB group comprises 54 lawmakers while one of its seven National List members, Diana Gamage has already pledged her support to the SLPP. She voted for the 20th Amendment in Oct last year and the Colombo Port Economic Commission Bill on May 20th.
Minister Gunawardena gave the assurance three weeks after SLPP General Secretary Attorney-at-law Sagara Kariyawasam MP, demanded the resignation of lawyer Gammanpila over the fuel price hikes. Lawmaker Kariyawasam faulted minister Gammanpila over
the increase in fuel prices whereas the latter explained it was a decision taken by the Cost of Living Committee chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on June 09 and approved on the following day, in writing by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksha, in his capacity as the Finance Minister.
Since then Basil Rajapaksa has entered parliament on the National List and succeeded Mahinda Rajapaksa as the finance Minister. Basil Rajapaksa re-entered parliament on July 08.
Minister Gunawardena said that as the government consisted of several political parties they took different stands on matters of importance. However, they would work together as members of the government parliamentary group to thwart political projects launched by the Opposition against it.
Minister Gunawardena said that the government wouldn’t be distracted by Opposition strategies. The government parliamentary group comprised 145 members with the largest section being the SLPP. The SLPP consisted of 116 members whereas the SLFP group comprised 14 members and the National Freedom Front 06 members and other partners several seats among them.
Minister Gammanpila told The Island that since the eruption of the controversy over the fuel price hikes as he repeatedly pointed out there was no other option other than upward revision of fuel prices or had to face the consequences. The minister said that he was glad the issue at hand attracted public attention to the extremely dicey financial situation. The minister pointed out that no less a person than President Gotabaya Rajapaksa acknowledged the daunting challenge facing the country in meeting annual loan repayment amounting to USD 4 bn and the crisis caused by the CPC and CEB being in debt to the Bank of Ceylon and People’s Bank to the tune of Rs 737 bn.
Minister Gammanpila emphasized that both petrol and diesel were being sold at a loss at the moment and downward revision was not realistic. Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader stood his ground in spite of heavy attacks on him by some members of the SLPP.
Meanwhile, now facing certain defeat at the vote on first no faith motion moved by the SJB against the government, the Opposition over the weekend met under the joint leadership of Sajith Premadasa, MP, and former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya at Janaki Hotel where they discussed how the Opposition could move forward.
Former Speaker Jayasuriya, in his speech explained how the people were deprived of democratic gains made by the 19th Amendment to the Constitution by the enactment of the dictatorial 20th Amendment by the Rajapaksa administration.
One-time UNP Deputy Leader and minister in Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government addressed the gathering in his new capacity as the Chairperson of the NMSJ (National Movement for Social Justice), the brainchild of the late Maduluwawe Sobitha thera.
UNP leader and its only MP Ranil Wickremesinghe was represented by Deputy Leader of the UNP Ruwan Wijewardene, who stressed the importance of the Opposition reaching consensus on a common agenda.
TNA representative M.A. Sumanthiran, MP, warned that their support to the Opposition project would depend on a clear assurance given by them as regards the national issue. The President’s Counsel said that in spite of them working with the Opposition, their cause had been betrayed and an assurance was nothing but a prerequisite for their support.
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
