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US sanction-hit Iran explores new partnerships with crisis-hit Lanka
ECONOMYNEXT –Iran, which is still grappling with a 2012 economic sanction imposed by the United States is exploring new ventures and trade and investment in Sri Lanka, the island nation which is still recovering from an unprecedented economic crisis.
Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdullahian met top Sri Lankan government officials including President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, and his counterpart Ali Sabri on Tuesday (20).
Sri Lanka is unable to pay for Iran investment and imports due to the US sanctions, but it has successfully started paying for the dues in crude imports before 2012 through a “tea for oil” deal.
Iranian Foreign Minister comes after an official visit from Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Ali Sabri when he went to Tehran in August last year.His visit also comes ahead of Iran President Ebrahim Raisi’s official visit later this year, government officials said.
“The visit of his excellency (Iran Foreign Minister) into Sri Lanka is vital and will further enhance the close and cordial bilateral relationship,” Sabry said after his Iranian counterpart met all top Sri Lankan political dignitaries.
“There is a huge potential for further corporation in multi-faceted areas. During our discussion today, we addressed key areas of mutual of interests. Including political, economic, and cultural corporation, reflecting very solid bilateral relations.”
Government officials said Iran President is likely to visit when Sri Lanka sees the commissioning of Uma Oya 120 MW power generation project this year.
“Sri Lanka and Iran stand united in our pursuit of peace, security, and prosperity in our regions,” Sabry added.
Before the 2012 US sanctions, Sri Lanka heavily depended on Iranian light crude to its only refinery constructed by Iran in 1969. The island nation is now paying $250 million due for crude imports through tea exports.
The Iranian Foreign Minister during the meeting with Prime Minister Gunawardena noted that Iran is keen to cooperate with Sri Lanka in future projects utilizing their expertise in energy, water, agriculture, nanotechnology, medicine and biotechnology.
“Iran has also agreed to provide another 31 million euro grant for the rural electrification project,” Prime Minister’s office said in a statement.
“The Prime Minister and the Iranian Minister agreed that trade should be done in Asian currencies instead of US dollars. Minister Amir-Abdullahian said that banking arrangements have already been made to trade with Iran, India and China and similar arrangements can be made with Sri Lanka.”
“The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for Iran’s continued support to Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council and other international forums.”
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
