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China Merchants Group investment here reaches USD 2 Bn
Chairman of the China Merchants Group (CMG), Miao Jianmin, has declared that their investments here would reach nearly USD 2 bn.
CMG is China’s largest diversified conglomerate, according to a statement issued by the Hambantota International Port Group that dealt with Miao Jianmin’s recent visit. The statement quoted Jianmin’s as having said that the Group’s latest investment plans would up its accumulated investments here to reach nearly 2 billion US Dollars.
Chairman Miao Jianmin, who is on his first visit to the country, attended a signing and ribbon-cutting ceremony, held at the Hambantota International Port, for 15 projects. The China Merchants Group, which entered the Sri Lankan market, in 2008, accumulated a total investment of 1.68 billion US dollars as at the beginning of 2023. The Group has just signed another investment agreement with the Sri Lankan government, with plans to invest 400 million US dollars to build a modern logistics centre in Colombo. The new development will up CMG’s accumulated investment in Sri Lanka to reach over 2 billion US dollars, making it the largest foreign investment enterprise in the country.
“On this fertile land, we will write an extraordinary chapter together, and promote Hambantota Port to move forward and become a new bright spot and driving force in Sri Lanka and the Indian Ocean,” the CMG Chairman said.
The project signing event, held at the Hambantota Maritime Centre Sky Lounge, included MoUs, commercial agreements, office lease and land lease agreements. The partnering organisations present were Bhathiya Trading Company, COSCO Shipping Lines Lanka, Shipload Maritime, United Life Supermarket, HXZA Lanka International, Lu Fortune Investment, China State Construction Engineering Corporation, Sinopec Fuel Oil Lanka Limited and Inchcape Mackinnon Mackenzie Shipping.
Expressing full confidence in the development of the Hambantota International Port, Chairman Miao Jianmin said that CMG will continue to increase investments in Sri Lanka and establish extensive cooperation with everyone. The China Merchants Group brings to Sri Lanka their rich experience in port and park management, coupled with advanced technology. The Group plans to build the Hambantota International Port into an important logistics centre and industrial base on the island, as well as the Indian Ocean region.
With a 150-year history, the China Merchants Group is a diversified conglomerate with key business areas focused on transportation and logistics, comprehensive finance, urban and park development. The Group’s most recent interests include emerging industries, such as healthcare and testing.
In addition to the signings, HIP celebrated three projects in the industrial park that have reached completion. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the completed phase 1 of the INSEE warehouse by Siam City Cement, the covered bonded warehousing facility by Hambantota Port & Logistics Services and the plug-and-play, park-in-park facility by Shenzhen Xinji Group.
The event also marked the commencement of Phase II of the INSEE Warehouse by Siam City Cement (Lanka) Limited as well as the state-of-the-art yacht building facility by SeaHorse Yachts (Pvt) Ltd.
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
