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SL needs to boost image to attract tourists – AKD
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Sri Lanka had to boost it international image to attract high-spending tourists, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader, Anura Kumara Dissanayaka said in Colombo.The government apparently believed that putting in place various facilities would be enough to attract tourists, he said. However, most people were averse to visiting places run by crooks, he said.
“Recently, the World Bank gave us some money to buy fertiliser. After giving us money, it said it was also sending a team to ensure that you are not stealing. That’s what people around the world think of us. Everyone knows we are ruled by crooks,” he said.
Dissanayaka added that for the first time in Sri Lanka’s history, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) was investigating economic crimes in Sri Lanka.
“Imagine you are planning a trip. Where would you want to go? A hotel that is well known for bad management? Or, a place everyone says is good. What comes to your mind when you think of Switzerland and what comes to your mind when you think of Sudan? Perception matters,” he said.
Dissanayaka said a JVP government would be capable of changing the perception people had about Sri Lanka.
“Some SLPP MPs insist that tourists stopped coming to Sri Lanka because of anti-government protests. Tourist arrivals stopped because Sri Lanka ran out of fuel and power cuts were extended. They also stopped coming because they didn’t want to come to a country ruled by the Rajapaksas. Most people around the would do not like the Ranil-Rajapaksa government too,” the JVP leader said.
Among those who attended the seminar were Udaya Nanayakkara, Former Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourist Board, Kimarli Fernando , Former Chairperson of Sri Lanka Tourism, Prof. Raj Somadewa , Archaeologist, University of Kelaniya, Dr. Senarath Dissanayake, Former Director General/ Department of Archaeology, Sanath Ukwaththa, Former President of Hotels Association of Sri Lanka and Chairman, Mount Lavinia Hotel, Dileep Mudadeniya, Vice President of John Keels Group , Head of Brand and Marketing and CEO of Cinnamon Life Mall, Nilmin Nanayakkara, Managing Director, NKAR Travels and Tours Pvt Ltd, Manik Rodrigo, Chairman ,Barberyn Reef Resort, Ajith Wijesekara, Owner, Blue Water and Water Garden, Gayan Amarasinghe, Director, Forbes Air (Emirates), Nahil Wijesuriya , Marriott Hotel, Palaka Perera, Hotelier, Priyanjith Weerasooriya , Uga Escapes, Mahinda Pinnapola , Chief Operation Officer, Hilton Hotel, Nuwan Liyanage, Senior Deputy General Manager, Neth FM, Dr. Mahesh Thiththagalla , Advisor, All Ceylon Tourist Service Providers’ Association ( ACTSPA), Manoj Meddage, President, Sri Lanka Institute of National Tourist Guide Lecturers (SLINTGL), Brandi Gampola, President, National Association for Professionals in Tourism (NAFPT), A.M. Jaufer, President, Chamber of Tourism and Industry, Donald Rajapaksha, Secretary, National Tourist Drivers’ Association (NTDA) and Manoj Wijethunga, President, Sri Lanka Tourist Chauffeurs’ Unity ( SLTCU).
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
