News
Tense situation in Parliament over govt. move to pass resolution to summon EC officials
By Saman Indrajith
A tense situation arose in Parliament yesterday as the Opposition tried to prevent the passing of a motion by SLPP backbenchers to summon the officials of the Election Commission (EC) before a parliamentary select committee to ascertain whether they had violated the privileges of MPs.
The ruckus commenced when SLPP MP D. Weerasinghe moved a motion for the appointment of a “Select Committee of Parliament to investigate the matters relating to the Election Commission in respect of the incidents of infringement of privileges of the Members of Parliament and of the Parliament and to make suitable recommendations in that regard.” The motion was seconded by SLPP MP Manjula Warnakumara.
SJB MP Gayantha Karunathialke said that the Opposition was totally against the motion being passed without a debate.
SLMC leader Rauff Hakim said that the motion was unprecedented. “Generally, a PSC is appointed only to find solutions for a problem of national importance. This PSC is proposed for a selfish need of the government. Just because the government has a majority in Parliament it cannot be allowed to abuse parliamentary procedures for its gain. We are against this move. There is a motive to exert influence on the judiciary here. This is wrong. We need a debate on the matter,” Hakim said.
Leader of the House, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha:
We made a decision on this at the business committee. The matter could be referred for a debate.
JVP-led NPP MP Vijitha Herath:
You have no right to summon the members of the EC to Parliament and question them at a time when an election is in progress. In addition, there are several cases with regard to the election pending before the courts. We are against this PSC. None of us would attend this PSC. We call on the Speaker not to permit for wrong precedents. This would be detrimental to the independence of the NEC.
Gampaha District SLPP MP Nimal Lansza:
We have to appoint the PSC because the EC is not independent. The EC is known as a place where the decisions had been made by only two persons. By their act, our privileges were breached.
Chief Opposition Whip SJB Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella:
What is the meaning of this? The EC members are to be summoned and grilled because they have pushed for holding of elections. You did the same to the judges who gave the ruling to hold the elections. This motion has been brought with the intention of exerting pressure on the judiciary again. This is against the Standing Orders. We oppose this.
Deputy Speaker:
The motion has now been seconded.
Gampaha District SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna:
You are talking about the breach of privileges of MPs for not holding the elections. What about the violation of the rights of 22 million people because of not holding elections?
JVP-led NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake:
We are in the middle of an election process. It is not right to conduct a probe against the EC by Parliament after an election is declared. This is an attempt against the independence of the EC. There are two cases with the regard to this election pending before the Supreme Court. The President has exerted pressure on the EC.
Leader of the House, Minister Susil Premajayantha said the government would not appoint a PSC to influence the judiciary and that the PSC would inspect only matters with regard to the privileges of the MPs, moved that the House be adjourned.
The motion has been signed by SLPP members Lalith Warnakumara, Upul Mahendra Rajapaksa, D. Weerasinghe, Jagath Samarawickrama, Sudarshana Denipitiya, Milan Jayathilake, Kokila Gunawardena, Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda, Sahan Pradeep Vithana, Tissa Kuttiarachchi, Kapila Athukorala, Sudath Manjula, Gamini Lokuge and Sampath Athukorala.
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
