News
Unprecedented controversy: PUCSL bypasses govt., seeks Indian help to ensure power supply
Chairman asks whether his outfit needs to consult ministers
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has directly sought Indian assistance to ensure an uninterrupted power supply during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.
Janaka Ratnayake, Chairman of the PUCSL has written to Indian High Commissioner in Colombo Gopal Baglay requesting 37,000 MT of diesel on April 10 or 11th through the recently arranged Indian credit line in view of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.
Asked whether the PUCSL consulted the Finance and Foreign Ministries before writing to IHC Baglay, Ratnayake said there was no requirement to do so. He asked whether the PUCSL had to consult those ministries to seek assistance at the current crucial situation.
Ratnayake, in a letter dated April 05 stated: “The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka will be most grateful to the Government of India and people of India extending the much needed support to maintain uninterrupted power supply for the people of Sri Lanka.”
The PUCSL comprises Janaka Ratnayake, Prof. Janaka Ekanayake (Deputy Chairman), Chathurika Wijesinghe, Udeni Wickremesinghe and Mohan Samaranayake.
The Island
obtained a copy of Ratnayake’s letter which made reference to a letter dated February 21, 2022 the PUCSL received from the Indian High Commission.
The Island
brought this development to the attention of the Foreign Ministry however we did not to receive a response from them up to the time of going to press. Authoritative sources said that the Sri Lankan High Commission in New Delhi hadn’t been aware of the PUCSL dealing directly with the Indian High Commission in that regard.
Sources said that normally in respect of such a matter after a LoC had been signed, the focal points on Sri Lanka’s side for the operational aspects would be the CPC, Petroleum Ministry and/ or Finance Ministry depending on the nature of the support required. They could deal through the Indian High Commission in Colombo, sources said adding that if necessary the Sri Lankan mission in New Delhi in Delhi would be kept in the loop for required action.
The PUCSL has been constituted in terms of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution enacted in Oct 2020 with an overwhelming 2/3 majority.
The Island also asked for the Indian High Commission stand on the PUCSL’s request.
The PUCSL recently moved the Supreme Court against the Finance and the Power Ministries, the Monetary Board of Sri Lanka, Governor of the Central Bank, the Electricity Board and other relevant stakeholders against their failure to ensure uninterrupted electricity to the consumers.
The PUCSL sought USD 200mn to procure fuel in the petition filed through G.G. Arulpragasam on April 01.
There hadn’t been a previous case of a Commission established in terms of the Constitution taking a government to court or declaring its right to deal with foreign governments.
The PUCSL has taken the unprecedented step in directly seeking Indian help amidst continuing political turmoil against the backdrop of the Opposition turning down President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s request for them to accept cabinet portfolios. The President has said that a combined effort was required to overcome the financial turmoil caused by the balance of payments crisis.
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
