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Zahran had a free run in conducting terrorist training camps across country
By Rathindra Kuruwita
National Thowheed Jamaat (NTJ) leader Zahran Hashim and his associates had operated 10 training centres in 2018 in the Nuwara-Eliya, Hambantota and Mawanella areas, the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating the Easter Sunday attacks was told yesterday.
Sub Inspector of Police (SI) Srimal Sanjeewa Sampath of the CID attached to the PCoI said that five camps had been located in Hambantota, three in Nuwara Eliya and one in Mawanella.
SI Sampath said he had conducted investigations into five camps conducted by Zahran and his associates at Sippikulam, Hambantota. A large house belonging to a person named Sayyadu Mohammad Fauzan Maulana had been acquired by Zahran and his group for a short term stay through the caretaker of the house, Sayyadu Masoor Maulana.
The first camp in Hambantota was held from 7 to 8 July, 2018, the second camp from 20 to 22 July, the third camp from 26 to 28 August, the fourth camp from 3 to 4 November and the fifth camp from 1 to 3 December, 2018, he said.
The witness said that between 20 and 40 individuals had undergone training at each of those camps and vans had been used to transport participants. He added that training on the use of T-56 assault rifles and pistols had been imparted by a person named Mohamed Ahmad Milhan.
SI Sampath said that Zahran had lectured on Islamist extremism and Zahran’s mentor, Mohammed Ibrahim Nawfar had lectured on the Islamic State (IS) organization at these camps.
He also said Zahran’s brother Rilwan Hashim and Atchchi Muhammadu Muhammadu Hastun too had trained participants on bomb making and use of explosives. The witness also said that they had preached about clashes between Muslims and Sinhalese that took place in Kandy, Digana and Beruwala areas.
Sampath added, “Zaharan’s elder brother, Mohamed Zeini alias Sinna Moulavi and Alawdeen Ahmed Muad, who carried out the suicide bombing at St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade attended the training camps. In addition, the main suspects in destroying several Buddha statues in the Mawanella in December 2018, had also participated in training sessions,”
Zahran and his team had also run two training camps at the “Blue Eye Lodge” in Blackpool, Nuwara-Eliya.
The two training camps had been run at the location from 6 to 7 September, and from 16 to 18 November 2018. Between 20 and 25 persons had participated in those camps. Those who participated had been given lectures on IS, Islamist extremism, and weapons training. Another training programme was held at Thakshila Holiday Inn in Nuwara-Eliya in May 2018.
He also said that Sadiq had also preached extremism at a workshop for students who were scheduled to sit the Ordinary Level examination at a Thowheed mosque in the Delgahagoda area in Hingula from 14 to 18 December, 2018. About 30 students had attended the lecture. They were residents of Mawanella and Kadugannawa areas, the witness 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
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