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Brilliant Cuts showcase excellence at NCE Export Awards for second time
Brilliant Cuts (PVT) Ltd won recognition for the second year at the National Chamber of Commerce by winning the Bronze Award – Small category (Gem and Jewellery sector) at the 28th annual NCE Export Awards Ceremony 2020.
The achievement by Brilliant Cuts has reaffirmed the company’s significant contribution to the Sri Lankan gem and jewellery industry and offered hope for the future of the sector to reach milestones within the wider international market.
The reoccurring success exhibited throughout since its conception, backed by an unwavering spirit to strive to produce nothing but the finest of its calibre, Brilliant Cuts operates under the guidance of the Mrs. Malani Polgampola, Director and her daughter Vindya Perera, Managing Director.
Vindya has laid the foundation to build her own brand, Lustre, through Brilliant Cuts, and as a result she was previously awarded the Women Entrepreneur – Non-Traditional Business Gold Award at the Sabaragamuwa Province Best Entrepreneur of the Year 2020, Provincial Youngest Entrepreneur of the Year 2019 award from Sabaragamuwa Chamber of Commerce and the Bronze Award from National Chamber of Exports (small category) at the Sabaragamuwa Province Best Entrepreneur 2019.
The concept of both Brilliant Cuts and Lustre are such that they operate as two local platforms which open a creative space for novice and expert lapidary artists to uplift their talent further, and pave a rewarding career path for themselves in the Sri Lankan gem and jewellery industry, by pushing the boundaries of developing creative flair.
The guidance asserted by Brilliant Cuts on their valued lapidary artists has brought hope and opportunities for their careers to flourish in the local and international gem and jewellery market, ensuring a brighter future for those who lay their passion in crafting gems and jewellery. Initiatives have been put in place by Brilliant Cuts to expand the local gem and jewellery industry towards the international market.
However, unfortunate circumstances keep arising due to various reasons through distinctive distribution platforms in Sri Lanka, therefore a large number of products of the brand are unable to be distributed to the international market, enabling a fluctuation of production. The company strives to address these issues in the future with stronger and effective means of distribution.
As the industry progresses towards innovation and modernity, Brilliant Cut is at the forefront of being a catalyst towards accelerating such progressive initiatives.
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
