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Zuhair: Lanka should learn from New Zealand PM’s ‘empathetic but emphatic speech’
There is a lesson for Sri Lanka to learn from New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s ‘empathetic but emphatic speech’ following the grievous knife attacks by a Muslim of Sri Lankan origin, says President’s Counsel M. M. Zuhair.
The text of the former MP’s statement issued in this regard is as follows:
Following the widely condemned despicable knife attack on innocent shoppers at the New Lynn mall in the suburb of Auckland, New Zealand on 3rd September, Kiwi Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s empathetic but emphatic speech, “It was carried out by an individual; not a faith, not a culture, not an ethnicity. But an individual gripped by an ideology not supported here by anyone or any community” went viral particularly amongst Muslims worldwide!
What is significant in the Prime Minister’s timely and precise response was that she did identify the attacker of Sri Lankan origin as a single stand-alone individual, thereby instantly separating the alleged IS inspired attacker from the rest of his faith, culture and ethnicity and in effect from his countrymen. She paved the way for persons of the attacker’s faith as well to unite and fight the common enemy, real “terrorism”.
New Zealand’s strategy is bound to succeed in preventing greater radicalisation or widening resistance amongst those who feel victimised by the globalised unceasing wars, converting millions of otherwise normal people into refugees and then to modern day ‘slavery’ for the refugees’ survival.
In the absence of an objective strategic vision to isolate the terrorist from the rest of his kith, kin and compatriots in faith; ‘resistance, violent resistance and terrorism’ are bound to multiply in an unmanageable vicious cycle. That is a lesson Sri Lanka needs to learn from Arden’s handling of two major blows to peace and harmony that New Zealand went through on 15th March 2019 at Christ Church and on 3rd September 2021 at Auckland. Kiwi PM Jacinda Arden’s handling of the Auckland attack needs to be commended even while we condemn the attack! However the commendation does not extend to the New Zealand police but that is another subject!
The family has said, in a statement issued, that the Auckland attacker was wrong in what he did, expressed sorrow for the victims but that he has had a long spell of mental health problems. The family is sad that he could not be saved. It is noteworthy that a witness to the attack in the mall had said the attacker was “running around like a lunatic”. It is for the authorities in New Zealand to examine whether the attacker was indeed a ‘terrorist’ or a ‘lunatic’. Lunatics are excusable but not terrorists.
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
