News
Wartime FM says SL envoy’s conduct disgrace to entire country
Controversial payments made to US broker never probed
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Wartime Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said that shocking revelations made in a US court as regards former Sri Lankan Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya had caused irreparable damage to the reputation of SriLanka and humiliated the country.
Wickramasuriya pleaded guilty recently to diverting and attempting to embezzle $332,027 from the government of Sri Lanka during its 2013 purchase of a new Embassy building in Washington, D.C.
Bogollagama said: “It’s rather shameful and has caused irreparable damage to Sri Lanka’s good name, in Washington. If our envoy can steal from your/his own Government what impressions are we creating of being a Country of values and integrity. This will remain a dent in our recognition factor not only in the US but across the World. It’s also a severe blow to the reputation of our own diplomatic fraternity.”
U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Columbia Tanya S. Chutkan is scheduled to sentence Wickramasuriya on July 20, 2022.
Well informed sources told
The Island that the then Ambassador had returned the money to the government after the then President Mahinda
Rajapaksa raised the issue after it was brought to his notice in 2013.
The Island sought an explanation from the Foreign Ministry in this regard. Asked whether the Foreign Ministry would on behalf of the GoSL initiate action against Wickramasuriya on the basis of a US court ruling, a senior spokesperson pointed out that a case is pending before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court as regards the alleged embezzlement of funds.
The Island raised the issue against the backdrop of a Los Angeles-based venture capitalist and political fundraiser Imaad Shah Zuberi being found guilty of cheating the GoSL out of millions of dollars promising to rebuild the country’s image following the end of the war with the LTTE. Zuberi was ordered to pay $15,705,080 in restitution and a criminal fine of $1.75 million. Zuberi cheated GoSL to the tune of USD 6.6 mn and Wickramasuriya had been involved in the Zuberi deal.
Less than two years later, the US moved an accountability resolution at the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) against Sri Lanka. Seven years later, Sri Lanka is still embroiled in that process.
Responding to The Island query whether there had been an investigation into the payments made to Zuberi during Mahinda Rajapaksha’s presidency (second term) at any level, the spokesperson said that the Legal Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs could not find any information in that regard.
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
