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Anthony M Shanil Fernando, re-elected as Chairman of ICC Sri Lanka at the AGM for the year 2024
The 57th Annual General Meeting of the International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (ICC SL) was held at the BMICH, Colombo recently where Shanil Fernando was re-elected as its President. ICC Sri Lanka has been operating in Sri Lanka for over 70 years and was incorporated 57 years ago. ICC Sri Lanka journey was memorable and one of incomparable achievements in supporting the business community of Sri Lanka. Through the commitment and hard work, sta? members and the unstinted support and guidance of the Executive Committee under the able leadership of the Chairman, ICC Sri Lanka is happy to note that a positive recovery has been achieved following the adverse e?ects of the pandemic and the global and Sri Lankan economic turmoil.
Chairman Shanil Fernando is a Lawyer by profession and Director of Asian Logistics Park (Pvt) Ltd, World Express (CMB) Pvt Ltd, AFA Corporate (Pvt) Ltd, and Air and Sea Logistics (Pvt) Ltd. He is also partner of Anton Fernando Associate, Law firm and Director of AFA Corporate Services (Pvt) Ltd and Director of Ceylon Port City Corporate (Pvt) Ltd and a former Director of the Colombo Stock Exchange.
The International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (ICCSL) is the domestic chapter of Paris based international world business organization. ICC Paris is over 105 years old and it is represented in 170 countries with over 45 million corporate members around the world.
Trade and investment facilitation, Export & Import and Cross Border Issues pertaining to goods and transport, Arbitration are some of the areas addressed by the ICC. ICC was accorded a seat as an observer in the UN, the first time a private-sector chamber has received such an honour.
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is a global business organization that represents the interests of companies from all sectors and regions. It serves as a platform for businesses to engage in dialogue, shape policy, and promote international trade and investment. The ICC provides a range of services and initiatives to support businesses, including arbitration and dispute resolution, policy advocacy, and the development of international trade rules and standards. With its extensive network of members and expertise in global business, the ICC plays a crucial role in fostering economic growth and promoting a rules-based international trading system.
ICC Arbitration is a widely recognized and trusted method for resolving international commercial disputes. It is administered by the International Court of Arbitration, which is part of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). ICC Arbitration offers a neutral and efficient process for parties to resolve their disputes outside of national courts. The ICC Arbitration process is guided by the ICC Rules of Arbitration, which provide a comprehensive framework for conducting arbitration proceedings. These rules ensure fairness, transparency, and enforceability of the arbitral awards.
Parties involved in an ICC Arbitration have the opportunity to select arbitrators with relevant expertise and experience in their specific industry or legal field. The arbitrators, who act as neutral decision-makers, are chosen based on their impartiality and independence. ICC Sri Lanka will setup the Proposed Colombo International Arbitration Facilitation Center to promote Hearing of ICC Arbitration in Sri Lanka.
ICC Arbitration also benefits from the support and expertise of the ICC Secretariat, which assists parties throughout the arbitration process. The Secretariat helps with administrative tasks, facilitates communication between the parties and the tribunal, and ensures compliance with the ICC Rules. One of the key advantages of ICC Arbitration is its global enforceability. The resulting arbitral awards are widely recognized and enforceable in over 160 countries, thanks to the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards. Overall, ICC Arbitration provides a reliable and effective means for businesses to resolve their international disputes in a fair and efficient manner, contributing to the stability and predictability of international trade and investment.
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US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
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.”
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Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
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.
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CIPM successfully concludes 8th Annual Symposium
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.