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Sri Lanka in deep crisis: Demands more focused and stronger action
In the context of the deepening global economic crisis, Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange (forex) situation is not improving. The slight increase in exports has been undermined by increased imports, specially aggravated by the need to import vaccines to meet the Covid-19 crisis. Also the decision to restrict import of luxuries and non-essentials is not being enforced effectively. The result is that with more foreign borrowing our foreign debt is increasing.
Annual repayment of debt has reached US$ 4.5 billion, with interest repayment alone amounting to US$ 1.0 billion. Neither the Government nor the people appear to realize the gravity of the forex situation and do not act accordingly. Our import policies need to be tightened. The Government has failed to explain to the people the magnitude of the crisis and the need to tighten the belt at all levels, setting a proper example from the top to conserve our forex. The result is the forex crisis.
But internally too the economic crisis is deepening accompanied by social, political and health crises. The hunger crisis is severe with many people having only one meal a day. The loss of income due to closure of factories and offices and loss of self-employment is a major factor. In addition, many have had pay cuts. Another major cause is the rise in the cost of goods, especially essentials like food. This has led to inability to buy essentials and increasing poverty and hunger.
In fact, studies indicate that 60% of people have incomes below the poverty line. The level of malnutrition has gone up to 18%. Thus, correction of the hunger problem should be given first priority by the Government. I appeal to the new Finance Minister to ascertain the families faced with poverty and hunger and supply dry rations to them as the first priority.
The Covid-19 pandemic is liable to expand with the spread of the more virulent Delta variant in the country. There has to be a country-wide people-based campaign to curb this. Covid committees should be established in every village and slum.
These should detect Covid cases early and institute cluster control measures, and ensure that every person strictly observes the four health guidelines (prevent crowding, ensure social distancing, ensure that masks are worn when out of home, and effective washing of hands).
Covid committees have to be set up in schools as necessary. Ensure that all the vulnerable people in society who are liable to get severe diseases or die (elderly over 60 years and those with serious chronic diseases) are vaccinated.
Imported chemical fertilizer should be continued for this period (kanna) of cultivation so that farmers do not suffer. Organic fertilizer should be produced adequately meanwhile and be introduced country-wide thereafter.
Another major problem is the high cost of food and other essentials. The revival and strengthening of cooperatives, producers and consumers is the only way out. This would prevent profiteering by middlemen. The introduction of the new solidarity concept which ensures that ownership of enterprises is given to the employees alone, would result in successful outcomes e.g. the paddy fields in Kerala, India. The strengthening of the state sector in marketing e.g. the Marketing Department, CWE etc would also help.
Measures like these will help to overcome poverty and hunger and eliminate malnutrition. I urge the Government to think and act on these lines to improve the condition of the people and make the country more productive and the people happier.
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
