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Pathfinder’s webinar on “Sri Lanka’s path to RCEP membership: Unlocking new horizons” on Wednesday
The Government of Sri Lanka has officially submitted a letter of intent to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s largest trade bloc.
This strategic step is set to pave the way for broader access to markets, increased trade, and robust economic growth for Sri Lanka amidst the dynamic landscape of global commerce.
To delve deeper into the myriad of opportunities and challenges this accession presents, a webinar titled “Sri Lanka’s Accession to RCEP: Opportunities and Challenges – Learnings from Existing Member Countries” is scheduled for Wednesday, 27 March.
This event is a collaborative effort between the Pathfinder Foundation Sri Lanka and the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore (NUS), alongside APTA CCI.
Dr. R.H.S. Samarathunga, Senior Economic Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka will grace the occasion with insights into the Government’s policy direction, motivations, and objectives behind Sri Lanka’s move to join RCEP.
The event will begin with welcome remarks by Ambassador (Retd.) Bernard Goonetilleke, Pathfinder Foundation Sri Lanka chairman; NUS Director of the Institute of South Asian Studies Dr. Iqbal Singh Sevea, and APTA CCI Chairman Ajith D. Perera.
The webinar will feature a comprehensive introduction to RCEP and its evolution by Pathfinder Foundation Executive Director Dr. Dayaratna Silva, Executive Director of the Pathfinder Foundation Sri Lanka, followed by a panel discussion moderated by NUS Institute of South Asian Studies Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead Dr. Amitendu Palit who will explore the practical implications of RCEP membership, drawing on the experiences and perspectives of existing member countries.
Distinguished panelists, including K.A. Vimalenthirarajah from Sri Lanka, Dr. Mohammad Masudur Rahman from New Zealand, Wang Yanguo from China, and Phouxay Thepphavong from Lao PDR, will offer valuable insights into promoting trade in goods, sharing experiences, and discussing the perspectives of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) within the RCEP framework.
This webinar will conclude with a discussion, allowing attendees to engage directly with the speakers, followed by concluding remarks that outline the way forward for Sri Lanka in the context of RCEP.
Stakeholders from across the spectrum – policymakers, business leaders, academics, and the general public – are invited to join this dialogue.
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
