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Jha inspects Indian projects, including SLAF’s maritime surveillance capability
Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha recently visited SLAF base at China Bay, Trincomalee where he met Indian Navy personnel here on a mission to train SLAF on operation of Dornier aircraft maritime surveillance aircraft.
The Indian HC statement issued at the conclusion of May 1-4 visit, explained ongoing assistance to enhance Sri Lanka’s maritime surveillance capabilities.
During the visit, Jha met Eastern Province Governor Senthil Thondaman and interacted with several MPs representing the three districts of the Province. In addition, Jha took stock of several projects being implemented by the Government of India (GOI) for the people of the Province and visited various sites of historical, cultural and commercial significance, the HC said in a statement issued yesterday.
In his interactions and engagements in Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee, the High Commissioner emphasized that Eastern Province held special significance in India-Sri Lanka bilateral partnership. The HC highlighted the multi-sectoral grant assistance package consisting of 33 different projects throughout the Province in diverse areas as well as ongoing discussions between the two governments to collaborate for the comprehensive development of Trincomalee. The Indian envoy also highlighted the various connectivity and energy projects being pursued between India and Sri Lanka, which will bring significant benefits to the Eastern Province.
The HC reviewed the progress in the construction of the Surgical Unit in Teaching Hospital Batticaloa, which is being built through grant assistance by GOI. This facility is expected to be completed soon. He also visited the Model Village Housing Projects in Batticaloa and Trincomalee, which are part of a comprehensive project, under which a total of 600 houses are being built across the 25 districts of Sri Lanka by GOI for vulnerable and homeless families.
Separately, he met and encouraged concerned stakeholders to actively work towards the expeditious completion of the 5000 MT temperature-controlled warehouse in Dambulla. The first of its kind facility in the country will help the farmers in the region to reduce their post-harvest losses considerably. During the site visit to the proposed solar facility in Sampur, he expressed confidence that work would commence at the earliest.
The High Commissioner visited several facilities of Lanka Indian Oil Corporation (LIOC) in Trincomalee. He recalled the unparalleled role which the company played in limiting adverse effects of the energy crisis in 2022 during these engagements. The HC also inaugurated a new LIOC fuel shed in Trincomalee. Separately, he visited Oluvil harbour in Ampara where he was briefed about the challenges which the local communities face due to sediment deposits in the Port.
The High Commissioner offered prayers at the sacred Mohideen Meththai Grand Jummah and Badurya Jummah mosques in Kattankudy. He paid his respects to Lord Buddha at the historic Seruwila Mangala Rajamaha Viharaya and prayed for shared prosperity and peace for the people of India and Sri Lanka at the ancient Thirukoneswaram Temple in Trincomalee. The High Commissioner paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at the Gandhi Park in Batticaloa.
The High Commissioner rolled out a new financial assistance scheme to underprivileged students in Eastern University. It may be recalled that a similar scheme was introduced in the University of Jaffna in December 2023. The High Commissioner distributed dry rations to hundreds of needy families in two different parts of the Province. In addition, he graced two community-based CSR initiatives by LIOC.
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
