News
X-Press Pearl disaster: SJB demands inquiry to establish accountability
… appreciates UN assistance to ascertain damage
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Samagi Jana Balavegaya spokesperson Mujibur Rahman, MP, says the government ought to explain why specific investigation have not been launched to identify the failure on the part of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and others to ward off the threat posed by X-Press Pearl carrying a leaky container of nitric acid.
Referring to the recent Justice Ministry statement regarding the formation of four committees to inquire into specific issues caused by the destruction of the vessel in Sri Lankan territorial waters North West of the Colombo port, MP Rahman said that controversy surrounded the decision not to examine the SLPA’s response.
Noting that SLPA Chairman Daya Ratnayaka had been named last Friday (18) as the new Secretary to the Industrial Ministry in place of Anusha Palpita ahead of Lanka Phosphate Company coming under Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa brought under Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, MP Rahman said that the handling of X-Press Pearl was questionable.
Former Army Chief Ratnayaka has been replaced by Capt. Nihal Keppetipola as Chairman of SLPA with Upul Jayatissa named new MD.
Lawmaker Rahman emphasized that it would be of pivotal importance to establish whether the SLPA and other state institutions responded to the threat as expected. Asked to explain, MP Rahman pointed out that the Navy owed a plausible clarification why Indian assistance was not sought till the afternoon of June 25, over six hours after an explosion on the ill-fated ship.
According to the MP, Indian High Commission made the revelation in a statement issued ahead of deployment of their assets in support of Sri Lanka. Pointing out that an SLPA team had boarded X-Press Pearl on June 20 afternoon, the day after the vessel dropped anchor outside the Colombo Port, MP Rahman asked the SLPA and Shipping Ministry to explain steps taken to neutralize the threat.
Lawmaker Rahman appreciated the government decision to seek the assistance of the international community to assess the impact on the environment by the X-Press Pearl disaster. A UN team of oil spill and chemical experts, provided by the European Union (EU), is in the country. The team consists of Dr. Stephane Le Floch, Dr. Camille La Croix, and Luigi Alcaro. The team is led by Hassan Partow from UNEPs Resilience to Disasters and Conflicts Global Support Branch (Ecosystems Division).
MP Rahman said that the SLPA and the Shipping Ministry refrained from challenging The Island revelation that the SLPA lacked wherewithal to fight a ship fire. The SLPA had only one fire-fighting tug called Megha and two tugs were leased from Ceylon Shipping Company, MP Rahman said, adding that according to The Island even the X-Press crew was rescued by a tug belonging to the private company.
The lawmaker questioned whether the fire could have been averted if tangible measures were taken to bring the vessel into the harbour and remove the leaking container. Declaring that the incident exposed the pathetic situation at the Colombo harbour though it was considered a major port, MP Rahman suggested that a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) was required to examine the incident. The SJB spokesperson said that Shipping Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena’s response to the X-Press Pearl incident as well as the SLPA failure underscored the need for a no holds barred investigation.
Lawmaker Rahman said that the SJB was closely watching Justice Minister Ali Sabry, PC and Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam handling the incident and the case filed by the Center for Environmental Justice moving the Supreme Court in respect of X-Press Pearl destruction.
MP Rahman alleged that those responsible for ensuring safety and security of ships in Sri Lankan waters obviously failed the country.
Colombo High Court on June 16 granted bail to Sea Consortium Lanka Chairman Arjuna Hettiarachchi arrested by the CID on the same day over the revelation his outfit deliberately withheld information pertaining to the leaking container though being alerted by the skipper of the ill-fated vessel.
SJB MP insisted that a no holds barred investigation was required to establish the truth. Instead of proper inquiry some ministers and officials were engaged in a media circus meant to deceive the public.
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
