News
X-Press Pearl controversy: Prof. Peiris zeroes in on AG
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Jathika Nidahas Sabhawa Spokesperson Prof. G. L. Peiris, MP, Tuesday (02) questioned the conduct of the Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC, pertaining to obtaining compensation for the worst ever marine disaster, caused in Sri Lankan waters, following the sinking of container carrier X-Press Pearl, in the first week of June 2021.
Rajaratnam was sworn in as AG on May 26, 2021, less than a week after the ill-fated vessel, carrying a hazardous cargo, reported a fire onboard, but was allowed to enter Sri Lankan waters.
Addressing the media, at the Nawala Office of the breakaway SLPP faction, the former top law academic emphasized that the AG, on behalf of his department, owed an explanation as regards Sri Lanka’s response to the unprecedented marine disaster, and its aftermath.
The former External Affairs Minister asked whether Sri Lanka’s pathetic response was caused by negligence on the part of the AG’s department or some mysterious intervention made by some interested party/parties.
“Why did the government wait for the last moment to file action?” Prof. Peiris asked.
The other contentious issue at hand is why a Singaporean court had been moved against the owners X-Press Feeders, and the insurers of X-Press Pearl, regardless of specific recommendation made by an expert committee, appointed by the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), to file action in Colombo.
Attorney-at-Law Dharshani Lahandapura, the then Chairperson of the MEPA, told The Island that, on the basis of the recommendations made by the expert committee, she felt action should be filed here. The expert commit was jointly led by Prof. Ajith de Alwis and Prof. Prasanthi Gunawardane.
Her successor Asela B. Rakewa, also an Attorney-at-Law, said that MEPA was not consulted by the AG regarding filing of the case in Singapore. Rakewa said so in response to The Island query. Rakewa declined to comment on that decision as he couldn’t take a stand, contrary to that of the Cabinet-of-Ministers.
Prof. Peiris said that he couldn’t believe that a Singaporean court had been moved against an incident that took place within Sri Lankan waters. The former minister questioned the culpability on the part of the Cabinet-of-Ministers for the decision on the Singaporean court, as advised by the AG.
At the time of the X-Press Pearl disaster, Prof. Peiris served the then Cabinet of Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The rebel SLPP group quit the government parliamentary group, on July 20, 2022, in the wake of the party throwing its weight behind PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, at the vote to elect a successor to complete the balance period of ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s term.
The SLPP National List member pointed out that the action would cost bankrupt Sri Lanka an arm and a leg. Declaring that Sri Lanka’s response disclosed continuing pathetic state of affairs, Prof. Peiris asked the government also to explain the involvement of an Australian firm in filing action in Singapore. “We would like to know who picked this particular Australian firm, and the procedure followed,” Prof. Peiris said.
At the onset of the briefing, Prof. Peiris welcomed an opportunity to debate the X-Press Pearl affair in Parliament next week. Parliament meets on May 09. Sittings will continue till May 12.
The former minister compared the USD 2.9 bn bailout package, secured from the IMF, in March this year, and compensation to the tune of USD 6.4 bn which could be ours if Sri Lanka handled the case properly.
Commenting on the continuing controversy over an alleged bribe amounting to USD 250 mn (Rs 80 bn) received by a person in a position to sabotage Sri Lanka’s case, Prof. Peiris called for a thorough inquiry.
The Island
, in its 13 April edition, exclusively reported the disclosure made by Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, PC, pertaining to USD 250 mn being deposited in a UK bank.
Prof. Peiris questioned the validity and the basis for the Justice Minister’s complaint to the IGP as regards the massive bribe allegedly received by an interested party. The former minister asked for a proper inquiry to identify one Chamara Gunasekera whose name has transpired in this connection.
Referring to domestic and international laws in place to curb money laundering, Prof. Peiris said that such a massive deposit would have immediately alerted the British system and appropriate action taken.
It is a proven fact that virtually all leading British banks have been fined by the American legal system for mainly laundering drug cartel money, but not a single banker responsible for such criminal acts have been punished, let alone imprisoned.
The former minister also speculated about the possibility of the government propagating a lie to divert public attention.
Prof. Peiris asked whether the AG’s Department was aware of an attempt made by the ship owners and insurers to move British court against Sri Lanka’s efforts to secure sufficient damages. If they succeeded, a limit would be imposed on the damages Sri Lanka was entitled to as a result of the worst ever marine disaster in this part of the world.
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
