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EU underscores importance of engagement with SL on Indo-Pacific strategy
The Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI) in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives hosted a half-day conference on the theme, “The EU Indo-Pacific Strategy through Sri Lanka’s Lens: Opportunities for Cooperation and Partnership” on Thursday (27), LKI said.
The event supported by the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, was organised on the occasion of the visit of the EU Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific, Gabriele Visentin to Sri Lanka.
Executive Director of LKI, Dr. D.L. Mendis warmly welcomed the participants who attended the conference and said that a rule-based order would protect small States and make International Law the language of International Relations.
Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Denis Chaibi made the opening remarks and referred to the connections between Europe and Sri Lanka.
The EU Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific, Gabriele Visentin outlined the thematic content of the EU Indo-Pacific Strategy launched in September 2021, highlighting its relevance for further engagement between the EU and Sri Lanka.
He outlined the way in which a multilateral approach would guarantee stability through the strengthening of international rule-based order. He said that seven priority areas for cooperation have been identified; such as, sustainable and economic prosperity, green transition, ocean governance, digital governance and partnerships, connectivity and security and defense. The Envoy underscored that the EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy envisages strengthening links with the states in the region and not dependencies.
Delivering the keynote address Foreign Minister Prof. G.L Peiris outlined the importance of multilateralism, inclusivity and rule-based order. He also dealt with topics such as green recovery, trade, sustainable ocean governance as issues of relevance to Sri Lanka at present for cooperation and partnerships. He highlighted that a rule-based order can help small states safeguard their position at the international level. Additional remarks were delivered by the State Minister of Regional Cooperation, Tharaka Balasuriya.
Foreign Secretary of Sri Lanka, Admiral. Prof. Jayanath Colombage and Representatives of EU Member States participated at the conference. The Ambassador of the French Republic to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Eric Lavertu, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Tanja Gongrijjp and the Deputy Director General for South Asia and Indo-Pacific policy, German Federal Foreign Office, Dr. Jasper Wieck, also addressed it.
The conference brought together local and international experts to discuss the EU strategy and its implications in three thematic areas, namely; (i) Sri Lanka’s and EU’s positioning within geopolitical shifts in the Indo-Pacific, chaired by the Foreign Minister, Prof. G.L. Peiris, (ii) Trade, Connectivity and Green Recovery as Strategic Tools: Challenges and Opportunities for Sri Lanka and the EU, chaired by the Foreign Secretary, Adm. Prof. Jayanath Colombage, (iii) EU and Sri Lanka Efforts for Sustainable Ocean Governance, chaired by the Executive Director of LKI, Dr. D.L. Mendis.
The three panel discussions were followed by respective Q & A sessions.
The speakers articulated their diverse viewpoints on the key fundamentals of the European strategy in a constructive manner in order to reinforce the rule-based order and proposed various modalities for cooperation and partnership in the Indo-Pacific region. In his vote of thanks, Director of the LKI, Chathuka Senanayake thanked the panelists and participants for attending the conference and sharing their insights. A full report on the conference and proceedings will be published.
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
