News
Tamil diaspora groups in Britain pressing for new resolution against SL
At forthcoming UNHRC sessions in Geneva
By Sujeeva Nivunhella in London
Politicians in Western countries backed by Tamil diaspora groups are exerting pressure on their respective governments to adopt a tougher line on Sri Lanka by introducing a new resolution on alleged human rights violations, at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions scheduled to be held in Geneva from February 22 to March 19, political observers in London warned.
The Tamil diaspora in other parts of Europe could possibly team up to pressure their governments to pursue this line of action for a firmer stand on Sri Lanka through a new resolution, they further cautioned.
“The Sri Lankan government should be well prepared to counter the possible new human rights allegations at the sessions”, they said in the backdrop of Siobhain McDonagh, Labour member of parliament for Mitcham and Morden urging the British government to bring a resolution that would maintain human rights monitoring by the Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Speaking during the last week’s Global Britain Debate in the British parliament, she asked the UK government to use the UNHRC sessions to introduce a resolution that would mandate a mechanism to gather, preserve and analyze evidence for future investigations and prosecutions that build on the work of previous UN investigators.
She said the resolution should call upon the office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare a report on options for international action for the promotion and protection of human rights, justice and accountability in Sri Lanka.
“The measure of success for global Britain comes not just in rhetoric but in the actions that we take on the international stage particularly in the face of international injustices. So, I use my time today to draw the minister’s attention to the situation in Sri Lanka and particularly to the vital upcoming UN Human Rights Council meeting”, she noted.
McDonagh said the challenges in Sri Lanka are well documented with its president and his brother, the prime minister, facing accusations of crimes against humanity for their role in killing thousands of their own people, Tamil civilians at the end of the civil war. They have placed their closest allies in senior government positions including military commanders accused of war crimes and politicians accused of corruption, violence and common criminality.
“I received thousands of emails from shocked and frightened members of the Tamil community following the destruction of the Mullavaikkal Tamil genocide memorial monument at the Jaffna University. It was an act that completely undermined the process of Truth, Justice and Accountability that would set Sri Lanka on a path to lasting peace”, she continued.
She further said: “It’s how the UK responds to the ongoing injustices in Sri Lanka and in support for democracy, human rights and the rule of law that would speak volumes for our leadership role on the international stage. The 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council will take place in March. So, I ask the minister what preparations the government is making to ensure a new resolution is agreed on this issue?
“A resolution that would maintain human rights monitoring by the office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights, a resolution that would mandate a mechanism to gather, preserve and analyze evidence for future investigations and prosecutions that build on the work on previous UN investigators and a resolution that would call upon the office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare a report on options for international action for the promotion and protection of human rights, justice and accountability in Sri Lanka.
“I urge the minister in the strongest terms to ensure that we use the unique opportunity that March provides to continue the global leadership we have previously demonstrated on this issue and show on the international stage that we are truly global Britain.
“While British parliamentarians put pressure on their government to bring a resolution against Sri Lanka at the upcoming UNHRC session, parliamentarians in Canada too are saying that the Sri Lankan army committed genocide. Canadian education minister Stephen Lecce, parliamentarians Natalia Kusendova, Kaleed Rasheed, Paul Calandra, Gurratan Singh, Doley Begum, Suze Morrison, Rima Berns-Mcgown and Mitzie Hunter said the perpetrators should be held accountable for the crimes committed and the Tamil survivors of the war deserve justice”.
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
