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Foreign Minister underlines importance of data based research to guide govt. policy
Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, addressing the ‘LKI Foreign Policy Forum’ on Wednesday, said there is a serious need for data-based research to guide government policy-making.The LKI Foreign Policy Forum is a quarterly flagship event of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI).
Foreign Minister Sabry said if such a practice had been followed, particularly in regard to the economy, Sri Lanka would have averted the crisis which it faced. The Minister said it is important to conduct research, present papers, debate openly and within closed doors, in order to make the right decisions.
The LKI Foreign Policy Forum coincided with the 18th death anniversary of the Late Lakshman Kadirgamar which falls on 12 August 2023. The event was attended by the State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya, the Acting Foreign Secretary U.L.M. Jauhar, and a representative gathering, comprising heads of diplomatic missions and international organizations, government officials, academics, business leaders, civil society, media practitioners, as well as students.
Noting that the LKI was initiated in 2000 as the Sri Lanka Institute of Strategic Studies by the late Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, Minister Ali Sabry said following the late Minister’s assassination the institute was renamed in 2006, to honour the services he had rendered to the country. He said the legacy of Lakshman Kadirgamar lives through the Institute, and that in remembering him, it was important to work with the same diligence, enthusiasm and dedication.
The Minister emphasized the importance for LKI to ensure that research produced maintains high standards of accuracy, independence and impartiality, and noted that this prerogative of the LKI to engage in independent research is essential, in order for it to maintain its credibility. He hoped the ‘LKI Foreign Policy Forum’ would provide a platform for discussion, analysis and evaluation, which will strengthen engagement with relevant actors. He added that it was important that the topics chosen are contemporary and relevant, and that the ensuing discussions help provide recommendations for policy decisions.
Executive Director of LKI Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha, who delivered the welcome remarks, noted that in a rapidly changing world the new platform could contribute to build ‘common ground’ and develop a ‘Sri Lankan perspective’ on issues. He said these were goals the late Foreign Minister Kadirgamar was committed to in his lifetime, and trusted an institute of the nature of LKI would fulfil beyond his time. He said, besides several other LKI flagship projects being undertaken on a periodic basis, the Institute has put in place a comprehensive ‘LKI Research Programme’ under four pillars – Global Governance, Global Economy, Global Peace and Security, and Global Relations. He noted that in addition to the institution’s resident research staff, the LKI will draw on relevant academics and issue experts, in order to build a network that could contribute to the development of foreign policy options and enable a public discourse that could evolve strategies to better serve the country and the global community.
The Changing Global Dynamics: Implications for Sri Lanka was discussed by an eminent panel, comprising: Former Foreign Secretary, Ambassador H.M.G.S. Palihakkara, Director/ International Relations and Director/Centre for Strategic Assessment, Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) Dr. Harinda Vidanage, Executive Director, Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) Dr. Dushni Weerakoon, and the Executive Director, National Peace Council of Sri Lanka (NPC) Dr. Jehan Perera. In addressing some of the salient dynamics of the current global order, outlined by Ambassador Aryasinha, who moderated the session, the panel analyzed the implications of these trends to Sri Lanka from foreign policy, strategic security, economic and civil society perspectives, respectively. This was followed by a question and answer session.
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
