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U.S. Congress to probe assets fleecing by US citizens of Sri Lankan origin
United States Congressman Steven Horsford expressing his awareness of the financial calamity and bankruptcy situation faced by Sri Lanka declared that he was well aware that a single family in authority in Sri Lankan affairs was largely responsible for it, and disclosed that he was initiating a Congressional investigation to ascertain who was responsible for fleecing Sri Lankan resources that led to the current unfortunate situation.
It was disclosed that such probe comes within the US Federal legal jurisdiction.
Horsford revealed that he would be in consultation with US Congressman Gregory Meeks, who heads the influential House Foreign Affairs Committee and also a senior member of the most powerful congressional Financial Services Committee, to initiate the probe. The revelation was made at a recent meeting with a group of US-based Sri Lankans.
Horsford is a member of the House Ways and Means and Budget Committees that have the jurisdiction to probe money laundering and asset fleecing. So is Congressman Meeks, a senior member of the House Financial Committee. The Committee he head, Foreign Affairs, has direct jurisdiction over Sri Lanka.
When he participated on Friday, April 22 at a fundraiser organized by Sri Lankan expatriates in Las Vegas, in the State of Nevada, Horsford disclosed his plan to intiate an investigation of foreign asset fleecing by US citizens who are part of the administration in Sri Lanka, Horsford represents a Congressional District in Nevada that has a large Sri Lanka expatriate community. He is up for re-election for the US Congress this November.
He stated at the fundraising event: “As the current situation in Sri Lanka, the country is facing bankruptcy and financial collapse due to the family that controls the nation. I’ll assure you that leadership of the United States is made aware of this. I am in touch with Chairman Gregory Meeks on this issue. I am confident I can work with the US Congress to disclose those responsible for fleecing Sri Lankan resources”.
Horsford used the term ‘asset fleecing’ thrice during his address.
The Nevada Congressman was largely responsible in getting increased amount of Covid-19 vaccines to Sri Lanka last year when the country was facing an acute shortage in consultation with the Department of State and US Agency for International Development (USAID), it was disclosed at this gathering by the convener of the fundraising event and a leading political activist of the Nevada Democratic Party Sanje Sedera.
Sedera is currently Chairman of the Sri Lanka America Chamber of Commerce, a national organisation involved in trade, commerce and investment based in Las Vegas while being the president of the Sri Lankan Association.
Horsford’s successful initiative to provide increased amount of medical supplies made Sri Lankan expatriate community rally round him to raise funds for his November re-election bid to the US Congress. The Sri Lankan expatriates said they were delighted to hear that Horsford would be in consultation with House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman and senior member of the Financial Services Committee Gregory Meeks to initiate an investigation of Sri Lanka’s First Family members of their alleged fleecing of the country’s assets.
Sri Lankans domiciled in the State of Nevada held a rally urging a change of system and administration voicing their displeasure at the ‘Rajapaksa rule’ two weeks ago in Las Vegas.
Congressman Steven Horsford made the above declaration as the United States has legal provisions in Federal statutes to launch such money laundering-fleecing investigation.
The United States has legal jurisdiction to probe such activities of US citizens are engaged in foreign countries. There are certain circumstances in which the United States may apply domestic law abroad. The US may give extraterritorial effect to its laws in cases involving (1) U.S. citizens abroad (2) Foreign citizens employed by U.S. companies abroad (3) Violation of certain laws, such as Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
In the case of Asserting Jurisdiction Abroad, the US may assert jurisdiction over the conduct of US citizens abroad, and over the conduct of others against US citizens abroad.
The United States may assert jurisdiction abroad if doing so is necessary for its security or government functions.
Under the protective principle, a state has jurisdiction to prescribe a rule of law attaching legal consequences to conduct outside its territory that threatens its security as a state or the operation of its government functions.
The United States may assert jurisdiction over anyone committing a heinous crime, regardless of the location of the crime or nationality of offender or victim.
When Congressmen Horsford and Gregory Meeks along with other US Federal officials meet to deliberate of Sri Lankan assets’ fleecing, and whether such acts hinder the operation of US government functions, the above federal laws will be discussed.
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
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