News
Two lawmakers join civil society bid to highlight Maj. Prasanna’s case
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Two SLPP lawmakers, Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera and Gevindu Cumaratunga have expressed serious concern over failure on the part of retired Maj. Ajith Prasanna, who is also an attorney-at-law, to secure bail pending court proceedings in respect of contempt court charges filed by the Attorney General.
The police arrested one-time Southern Provincial Council member Prasanna on January 24th, 2020 for making allegations regarding the conduct of the judiciary.
Colombo District MP State Minister Weerasekera and National List MP Cumaratunga backed the move in their capacity as the Convenor Jathika Sanvidana Ekamuthuwa and Chairman, civil society organisation Uthukama, respectively.
Shyamendra Wickramaarachchi, executive director, Global Sri Lankan Forum told The Island several nationalist groups based in the UK, UAE, Scotland, Italy, Canada, Qatar, France, Japan, Myanmar, Monaco and the US backed the move to highlight the retired officer’s plight.
Prasanna, who served in the Sinha Regiment, suffered injuries in an LTTE attack in the Jaffna peninsula in the early 90s. Subsequently, he joined the Army Legal Directorate and launched his political career after retirement.
The civil society outfit said that Prasanna had played a significant role during yahapalana administration in support of the Joint Opposition campaign. Unfortunately, he had been conveniently forgotten by those who were aware of his tremendous contribution at a time the previous government brazenly suppressed dissent.
Their statement has referred to the continuing plight of Prasanna’s wife, Sudarmika and two children. Wickramaarachchi said that in his capacity as an attorney-at-law Maj. Prasanna appeared for several military personnel charged in courts.
The grouping, in its public statement alleged that those who had ridiculed and played politics with the law during the previous administration were continuing in public life without hindrance.
The police arrested the retired soldier in the wake of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) deciding to move the Supreme Court against him over controversial comments on a live political programme. The Bar Council took a unanimous decision in that regard at a meeting on Dec 14, 2019 presided over by BASL President Kalinga Indatissa, PC, its main office at Mihindu Mawatha, Hulftsdorp.
The Bar Council found fault with Major Prasanna for being critical of several senior members of the Attorney General’s Department, Magistrates as well as law enforcement officers as regards four cases – disappearance of media personality Prageeth Ekneligoda (2010), alleged abduction and disappearance of 11 persons by the Navy (2008), abduction and torture of Deputy Editor of The Nation Keith Noyahr (2008) and attempt on Rivira Editor Upali Tennakoon’s life (2008).
Ajith Prasanna is the second attorney-at-law to face SC proceedings following complaints received in respect of a lawyer’s conduct. The SC in March 2019 barred public litigation activist Nagananda Kodituwakku from practicing law for a period of three years following a contempt of court charge.
A three-member bench, comprising then Chief Justice Nalin Perera, Justices Sisira de Abrew and Prasanna Jayawardena issued the order in respect of a defamation case filed in 2015.
The Bar Council announced its decision to haul Major Prasanna before the SC following representations made by three lawyers. Attorney-at-law Prasanna was also present at the meeting chaired by Kalinga Indatissa, PC. Prasanna altogether named five Magistrates, three AG’s Department officials and law enforcement officers, including highly controversial Inspector Nishantha Silva, who secured political asylum under mysterious circumstances in Switzerland last November.
Major Prasanna was initially represented by juniors of attorney-at-law Maithri Gunaratne, then Anil Silva, PC and now Shavendra Fernando, PC.
A bail application filed by counsel for Major Prasanna requesting bail was refused by the Court of Appeal last September. The move was made in respect of the former officer remanded by Colombo Magistrate’s Court over allegations that he had intimidated witnesses in a case before Magistrate’s Court at two media conferences. Two Navy personnel Thushara Mendis and K.A. Gamini remanded on the same charge received bail a couple of weeks ago.
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
