News
Veteran civil society activist nominated as Lanka’s HC in Canada; Viyathmaga academic to Russia
Moragoda likely to take over Delhi mission in Aug
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Prominent civil society activist Harsha Kumara Navaratne has been nominated as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Canada. After the change of government in Nov 2019, Navaratne received appointment as a member of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka. The Parliamentary High Posts Committee has been informed of the government decision.
Sources said that Navaratne had been proposed by the government following Canada’s refusal to accept retired Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sumangala Dias as the Sri Lankan envoy. Subsequently, that post was offered to the then Attorney General Dappula de Livera, PC, days before his retirement. He declined it.
Soon after the change of government, almost all heads of missions were asked to return home.
Ottawa is an important station against the backdrop of Canada, in its capacity as Sri Lanka Core Group member pushing war winning country on the human rights front.
Canada threw its full weight behind a new accountability resolution adopted at the Geneva based United Nations Human Rights Council, sources pointed out, adding that Navaratne’s appointment could be a move in that direction.
The previous government appointed another prominent civil society activist J.C. Weliamuna, PC, as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in Australia in Sept 2019. One-time Chief of Transparency International, Sri Lanka Chapter, Weliamuna succeeded respected company executive Somasundaran Skandakumar, who, too, received the appointment in August 2015 courtesy yahapalana administration.
Meanwhile, Senior Prof.(Mrs.) Janitha Abeywickrema Liyanage has been proposed Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Moscow accredited to Armenia, Belarus, Moldova and Uzbekistan. The academic and Viyathmaga activist will succeed Prof. M. D. Lamawansa, one-time President of the College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka and the current President of SAARC Surgical Care Society (2020/2021).
Prof. Lamawansa, too, had been actively engaged in Viyathmaga movement that spearheaded wartime Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s entry into the political scene, sources said.
Prof. Lamawansa succeeded Dr. Dayan Jayatilleke , who headed the Moscow mission from late 2018.
The former Vice Chairperson of UGC, assumed duties as the 1st Vice-Chancellor of the 16th National University, Gampaha Wickramarachchi Indigenous Medical University in March this year. She is married to Senior Professor Sudantha Liyanage, a leading Viyathmaga activist.
Harsha Kumara Navaratne, head of Seva Lanka had been one of those civil society activists involved in the Oslo-led peace process in the run-up to the Eelam War IV in August 2006. Along with Dr. Jehan Perera’s National Peace Council (NPC) and Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne’s Sarvodaya, Seva Lanka had been among civil society groups backed by a section of the international community, according to a report prepared by Christian Michelsen Institute (CMI) in Bergen and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London on behalf of Norway.
The Foreign Minister, too, serves on the parliamentary High Post Committee. The 18-member Committee is responsible for appointment of all Secretaries to Cabinet Ministries, all persons proposed to be appointed as Heads of Sri Lanka Missions abroad and Chairmen of Boards, Corporations and other State Institutions. The Committee consists of Chamal Rajapaksa, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Dinesh Gunawardena, Johnston Fernando, Douglas Devananda, Bandula Gunawardane, Keheliya Rambukwella, Udaya Gammanpila, Ramesh Pathirana, Sudarshini Fernandopulle, Vidura Wikramanayaka, John Seneviratne, Anura Priyadharshana, YapaVijitha Herath, Rishad Bathiudeen, Thalatha Athukorala, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka. Only four lawmakers represent the Opposition.
Retired Rear Admiral Mohan Wijewickrema, who played an active role in Viyathmaga received appointment as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Pakistan.
Former minister Milinda Moragoda is expected to take over New Delhi mission in the first half of August. In spite of the finalisation of his appointment a couple of months ago, he has delayed taking over the mission due to the pandemic situation in India.
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
