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Lanka’s top spy addresses UN confab, highlights global threat landscape
In a compelling speech delivered at the Third United Nations High-Level Conference on Counter-Terrorism, Major General Suresh Sallay, Director of the State Intelligence Service in Sri Lanka, highlighted the evolving global threat landscape and the imperative need for enhanced international cooperation to address the challenges ahead. The conference, organized by the UN Office of Counter Terrorism, aimed to build upon previous conferences and foster a multilateral response to combat terrorism effectively.
Major General Sallay expressed gratitude to the UN Office of Counter Terrorism for convening the conference and recognized its overall efforts in addressing the evolving threat to global peace and security. He emphasized the rapidly changing world, where security challenges are shaped by technological advancements and sociological developments. Major General Sallay identified five key categories of security challenges: geopolitical conflicts, economic factors, environmental concerns, societal issues, and technological advancements.
Geopolitical conflicts were identified as serious threats to international security. Major General Sallay noted that increasing tensions between powerful countries could lead to more frequent conflicts in various regions, allowing non-state actors to exploit the resulting fragile environment. These conflicts pose a significant risk to global stability and demand proactive measures.
The analysis of modern-day security challenges revealed the interrelation and connectivity between transnational organized crime, terrorism, extremism, and evolving technologies. Terrorism and extremism emerged as grave challenges, undermining stability, affecting social trust, and disrupting peace across the globe. Major General Sallay drew attention to the horrific acts of violence that have claimed innocent lives and disrupted communities worldwide.
Furthermore, the scourge of drugs and organized crimes continues to plague societies, perpetuating violence, corruption, and instability. Major General Sallay emphasized the interconnected nature of criminal enterprises that transcend borders and jurisdictions, necessitating a comprehensive and cooperative approach to combat these threats effectively.
Technological advancements have also presented significant challenges to both domestic and international security. Major General Sallay highlighted the rise of cyber threats, which exploit vulnerabilities in digital systems, posing a substantial risk in the digital age. Artificial intelligence, disruptive technologies, and the spread of misinformation were identified as emerging areas with unexpected outcomes in terms of security threats.
Major General Sallay stressed the role of social media and digital platforms in radicalization, extremism, and terrorism. Recent attacks, including those experienced by Sri Lanka, have demonstrated the power of these platforms in perpetuating violence and posing serious threats to international security. The use of sophisticated software to manipulate social networks and influence populations, politicians, and target groups has undermined trust in governments and challenged democratically elected governments.
Looking ahead, Major General Sallay highlighted the need for unwavering attention to mitigate these rising threats. Recognizing that no nation can effectively confront these challenges alone, he emphasized the importance of enhancing intelligence capabilities, fostering security cooperation, and reinvigorating multilateralism. Sri Lanka pledged its commitment to cooperate with the UN Office of Counter Terrorism and strengthen international counter-terrorism efforts. Major General Sallay also expressed the importance of regulating the use of social media platforms by extremist elements to curb their propaganda dissemination.
In summary, Major General Suresh Sallay’s speech during the UN High-Level Conference on Counter-Terrorism brought attention to the urgent security challenges confronting the international community. Sri Lanka reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to combat terrorism, strengthen intelligence networks, and align with the objectives of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Emphasizing the importance of mutual respect, understanding, and shared interests, Sri Lanka underscored the significance of collaborative endeavours to effectively address the evolving threats and safeguard global peace and security. (slguardian.org)
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
