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“A LIFE IN THE LAW” by NIMAL WIKREMANAYAKE
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BOOK LAUNCH
The exclusive Essoign Club of the Victorian Bar in the Owen Dixon Chambers in Melbourne was the venue on Monday (nov. 28) for the launch of the book “A Life in the Law” an autobiographical memoir written by retired Victorian Queens Counsel Nimal Wikramanayake. A gathering of distinguished lawyers including at least a dozen Judges of the Supreme Court, reputed Queens Counsel, and other leading barristers were present at the launch presided over by Barrister Graham Robertson.
Robert Richter the leading criminal lawyer in Victoria and former President of the Victorian Bar Council and of the Victorian Council for Civil Liberties, was the keynote speaker associated with the launch. He launched the book following a 45 minute address to the distinguished gathering , on the author’s journey at the bar, and focusing on the highlights of a remarkable career.
The occasion also served as a felicitation by the leading lawyers of Melbourne for Nimal Wikramanayake who had an extraordinary career at the Victorian Bar. Nimal’s own family background being the son of a leading Queen’s Counsel, from Sri Lanka, his exposure to the law at Trinity College, Cambridge, his strong and resolute personality, and the unwavering support and affection of his dear wife Anna Maria, are factors that seem to have played a role in his success at the Victorian bar, culminating with the granting of silk, an honour often denied to seemingly deserving aspirants sometimes for reasons other than their legal competence.
Robert Richter highlighted aspects of the author’s own experiences at the bar and applauded the manner in which he successfully overcame prejudice and the almost institutionalized blinkered attitude to “outsiders” which seemed to have pervaded the legal systems in Victoria.
Nimal Wikramanayake responded to Robert Richter with some interesting reminiscences of his tenure at the bar and highlighting some notable events during his distinguished career. He ended with the quote “old barristers never die, they only lose their appeal!”
Our mutual friend George Fernando and I being the only non lawyers in that gathering of distinguished lawyers were impressed at the solidarity shown and the warm regard they had for Nimal. It was a memorable occasion indeed, not only because of the choice wines that flowed through the evening! An extraordinary career has come to an end.
I would urge anyone interested in the law to enjoy the repast vicariously, by reading the book. In the words of Justice Michael Kirby who wrote the Foreword to the book “uncomfortable reading as it sometimes is, it is good that Nimal Wikramanayake has written his story. We can learn from it.”
Hugh Karunanayake
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US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
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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.”
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Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
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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.
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CIPM successfully concludes 8th Annual Symposium
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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.