News
US envoy’s visit: No cause for worry – EC
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Top Election Commission (EC) officials yesterday (3)) said that US Ambassador Julie Chung’s meeting with the top management of the independent commission shouldn’t cause concern among the public.
EC’s Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake said so when The Island sought his response to social media comments in respect of Ambassador Chung paying a visit to the EC on Tuesday (28). He said if it had been a secret visit, the US Ambassador would not have posted a photograph with EC members on X.
Soon after the meeting, Ambassador Chung said via X: “Appreciated meeting with the Election Commission to hear about plans for elections and
upholding a transparent process. As Sri Lanka, the US, and many other countries face elections this year, we exchanged views of the importance of voting in free and fair elections as a pillar of democratic governance.”
The EC consists of R.M.A. L. Rathnayake (Chairman), M. A. Pathmasiri Chandrawansa Perera and Ameer Mohommed Faiz. President Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed the EC in June last year.
Ambassador Chung inquired about ongoing preparations for the conducting of the presidential poll scheduled for Sept/Oct this year, Ratnayake said, disclosing that the EC received many other foreign envoys.
Responding to another query, Ratnayake said that foreign envoys also inquired about our preparations for the conducting of parliamentary polls ahead of scheduled presidential polls in case President Wickremesinghe dissolved parliament.
Subsequent to the US Ambassador’s visit, an EU delegation met the EC, Ratnayake said, urging the public not to be deceived by various interested parties propagating lies.
The official noted that Colombo-based foreign envoys met members of other independent commissions as well. According to him, these meetings were arranged with the knowledge of the Foreign Ministry and shouldn’t be considered an external intervention in electoral process.
PAFFREL (People’s Actions for Free and Fair Elections) Chief Rohana Hettiarachchi, too, said that he didn’t find fault with Ambassador Chung for seeking a meeting with the EC or with the EC for meeting her. “Such meetings are routine now,” Hettiarachchi said, adding that he was aware of several other envoys meeting the EC.
Hettiarachchi said that the incumbent dispensation attracted international attention by its actions. The civil society activist questioned the postponement of Local Government polls indefinitely and instability and uncertainty caused by wholly unnecessary statements by the UNP General Secretary, such as proposal to delay both presidential and parliamentary polls by two years.
Such statements are meant to cause turmoil, Hettiarachchci said, urging the government to speak in one voice.
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.
