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SLSI has flouted rules like nobody’s business!
There have been instances where the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) allowed the release of imported goods to the market prior to the issuance of test reports during the inspection of imported goods, the Auditor General has said in a report on the Role of Sri Lanka Standards Institution on Quality Product Sales in the Local Market.
There were also deficiencies in the issuance of the Certificate of Standards, management deficiencies, delay in conducting laboratory tests, minimum level of market inspections, reduction of awareness on the use- of pre-standards, and test reports, the Auditor General has said.
The Auditor General has recommended that “informing the relevant parties of the importance of obtaining the Product Certificate logo of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution to minimise the problems that may arise in connection with the above observations, further strengthening the mechanism for awarding the logo, strengthening coordination with other relevant affiliates and issuing product certification logos and this report makes recommendations on how to provide the necessary resources institutionally for conducting and laboratory testing and thereby expedite those processes.”
The report says the SLSI has been given the powers to inspect the quality of imported goods and that it is mandatory for imported goods to obtain the Sri Lanka Standards Certificate. SLSI has prepared a guideline on imported goods, it said.
According to these guidelines when a company imports a consignment of goods they will be allowed to be sold or used without inspection if there is a Certificate of Conformity obtained by that manufacturing company from a government agency, laboratory or testing institute registered with the SLSI in that country.
“However, only two foreign certification agencies for brown sugar were registered and certification agencies for canned fish were not registered,” the report has pointed out.
Moreover, the guideline says if the manufacturing company is registered with the Sri Lanka Standards Institution and obtains a Certificate of Conformity when importing goods, it will be allowed to sell or use without a sample test.
From January 2019 to June 2021, brown sugar was imported on 1014 occasions by 89 companies but no manufacturer was registered with the SLSI and obtained a Certificate of Conformity.
“From January 2019 to June 2021, canned fish was imported from 36 manufacturing companies on 1,522 occasions under 48 brand names. However, only five manufacturers and 20 brand names have been registered. 4,395,416 containers valued at US $ 92,205,253.54 were imported from 31 unregistered manufacturers.
Brown sugar has been imported on 31 occasions without adhering to any of the SLSI guidelines. However, they were allowed to be sold or used without inspection, the report has said. 6323.3 metric tons of brown sugar valued at US $ 2,391,388.95 has been released without testing, the report said.
“As imported goods are released to the market with the approval of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution, it is observed that the company does not have a proper guideline or methodology to ensure that the imported goods are not released to the market until the inspection report of the Standards Institution is received.”
Although a computer database was established in 2018 to keep tabs on imported goods, so far only the data up to the point of sampling has been included in the database.
The Auditor General’s Department has observed that after the sample test, approvals based on the test results, re-sampling, refusal of goods and recommendation for re-export are not made through the relevant database till the audit date of May 2021.
“It was observed that although there should be a good interaction between the Sri Lanka Standards Institution, the Consumer Protection Authority and the Sri Lanka Customs on all imported goods, but there is no such system in place. As a result, there is a high risk of substandard goods being released into the market and instances of such substandard goods being released into the market were observed during the inspection of Sri Lanka Custom’s files. The Standards Institution had not developed a suitable methodology for follow-up in this regard.”
The SLSI has Product Certification (SLS) to assure the hygienic quality of imported foods, however, this certification is not mandatory to import goods, the report says.
The report says, “As of December 2019, the number of SLS branded items was approximately 1105, but the number of market trials was relatively low and the estimated number of inspections carried out in 2016, 2017 and 2018 are 19, 39, and 35 respectively. Furthermore, market inspections were not planned for 2019 and as a result, the audit observes that low quality products are more likely to be released into the market.”
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
