News
Who would be blamed for latest fuel hike, asks SJB
…reminds how SLPP attacked Udaya following June revision
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Samagi Jana Balavegaya lawmaker Mujibur Rahman yesterday (21) asked whom would the ruling SLPP blame for the latest increase in fuel prices.
MP Rahman recalled how SLPP General Secretary Attorney-at-Law Sagara Kariyawasam, with the blessings of the top party leadership, repeatedly demanded Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila’s resignation over the latter making the announcement regarding the revision of fuel prices on June 11.
Referring to Minister Gammanpila’s hard hitting response to MP Kariyawasam at that time, lawmaker Rahman asked the government to reveal how the decision was arrived at in the latest revision.
The former UNPer pointed out that the Energy Minister was on record as having said that only the Finance Minister could authorise a fuel pricehike. Therefore, in the absence of Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, who was overseas, Prof. Peiris, in his capacity as the Acting Finance Minister gave the go ahead, lawmaker Rahman asked.
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) increased the price of a litre of Petrol (92 Octane) by Rs 20 (from Rs 157 to 177), Petrol (95 Octane) increased by Rs. 23 (from Rs 184 to 207), auto diesel by Rs. 10 (from Rs 111 to 121), super diesel by Rs.15 (from Rs 144 to 159). The CPC increased Kerosene by Rs. 10, (from Rs 77 to 87). The Lanka IOC matched the CPC prices immediately.
Lanka IOC previously increased retail selling prices for both diesel (Lanka auto diesel) and Petrol (LP 92) by Rs 5 a litre each on Oct 21. The company didn’t revise prices of Lanka Super Diesel and LP 95.
Responding to another query, MP Rahman said: “When the SLPP demanded Minister Gammanpila’s resignation, the latter revealed that the Cost of Living Committee at a meeting chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the presence of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on June 09 decided to increase fuel prices. Some SLPP members claimed that itwouldn’t have happened if Basil Rajapaksa was in the country.”
The SJB MP said that in the wake of June fuel price hike the SLPP created an environment for Basil Rajapaksa to enter Parliament on the National List, took oaths as the Finance Minister and within weeks committed the country to a shocking and unprecedented deal with the US Company New Fortress Energy.
MP Rahman said that the vast majority were in such a desperate situation they found it difficult to have a proper meal a day. The former UNPer said that the prorogation of parliament and the declaration that the Local Government polls would be put off by one year underscored the crisis the SLPP experienced. Even after the US-based rating agency Fitch further downgraded Sri Lanka to a pathetic ‘CC’ position the government continued to play politics with the issue, lawmaker Rahman said.
The SJB member said that the truth couldn’t be suppressed or the public attention diverted by a minor section of the government taking a stand contrary to that of the cabinet of ministers. MP Rahman asked how Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila remained in the cabinet after having accused the rest of the cabinet of betraying the country to the US. Similarly, how could President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who headed the cabinet and other members accepted a group that had backed petitions in the Supreme Court against the government, MP Rahman asked.
The MP said that soon after the fuel hike in June those who had now moved the Supreme Court over Yugadanavi deal urged the government to explore ways and means of helping the needy. The latest hike had delivered a knockout blow to the public, MP Rahman said, adding that by the time the Parliament reopened on January 18, 2022 following the prorogation the situation could be far worse.
In spite of grandiose announcements and promises to bring in required foreign investments as well as arrangements to strengthen foreign reserves nothing had materialized, lawmaker Rahman said, warning of dire consequences unless tangible measures were taken.
The SLPP’s near 2/3 majority in Parliament didn’t mean a thing. Actually, the situation was now out of control and the SLPP had realised the magnitude of the crisis it faced, the MP said.
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
