News
X-Press Pearl debate: Justice Minister draws fire; sittings suspended
By Saman Indrajith
Parliament sittings were suspended abruptly yesterday after a heated argument that ensued over attempts to deprive Sri Lanka of compensation for the X-Press Pearl ship disaster.
The heated argument started after Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, rising to a point of order, told the House that the matter could not be debated in the House as a case pertaining to the same was pending before the courts.
When SJB Kurunegala District MP Thushara Indunil Amarasena sought to move a motion for the debate on the matters related to the X-Press Pearl ship disaster, the Justice Minister said the matter was sub judice and could not be permitted for debate.
MP Amarasena said that it was unreasonable for Minister Rajapakshe to attempt to prevent the debate after making a controversial statement in the House that the latter had information pertaining to a payment of a bribe of $ 250 million to a certain individual.
Minister Rajapakshe warned the MP that the latter should know better that the matter should not be debated in the House and that was against the Standing Orders. “Do not behave like a Montessori kid. This is a Parliament not a Montessori. This is the place where the laws are made. If you have come to this place behave like a lawmaker not as a Montessori kid,” the Minister said.
At this point several Opposition MPs shouted at Minister Rajapakshe and accused him of trying to shield the wrongdoers.
Minister Rajapakshe:
You cannot stop me from talking by shouting at me. I would not stop talking because you are shouting.
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene:
The Minister has raised a point of order. If you have another point of order, you can raise it after the Minister makes his speech. Till then take your seats.
MP Amarasena:
It is the Minister of Justice who raised this issue in the House. He said that a deal amounting to billions of rupees had been struck to deprive the country of compensation. He mentioned the names and addresses of the persons involved in this racket. The one who made the revelation the other day now tries to hush it up.
Minister Rajapakshe:
It is up to the Speaker to decide whether the House should be moved for the debate on this matter. The issue of $ 250 million payment was first raised by your colleague MP Ajith Mannapperuma. I lodged a complaint with the CID.
Speaker Abeywardena suspended sittings for 10 minutes for an immediate party leaders’ meeting.
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
