News
A new General Manager CEO for NSB
Ms. Shashi Kandambi, a leading professional in the banking sector, has assumed office as the 19th General Manager/CEO of National Savings Bank (NSB) on 10th January 2024.
Ms. Kandambi was the Senior Deputy General Manager of International Banking at Sampath Bank, where she had a long-standing and successful career. Her banking experience spans over 35 years including 10 years in Corporate Management. She has a proven track record of successfully developing and executing strategic plans, managing financial resources, risk mitigation, and maintaining strict corporate governance standards.
She also has expertise in customer focus, innovation and technology, regulatory compliance, and crisis management. The positions held by her at Sampath Bank include Senior Deputy General Manager – Corporate Banking, and Deputy General Manager – Credit.
She holds an MBA from the Post Graduate Institute of Management, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, a Post-graduate Diploma in Business and Finance from CA Sri Lanka, and a Diploma in Banking from the Institute of Bankers Sri Lanka. She is a director of the Institute of Bankers SL. She is also a past President of the Association of Professional Banks, Sri Lanka.
A simple ceremony was held at the Bank to mark the occasion. Bestowing religious blessings, Chief incumbent of Bambalapitiya Vajiraramaya and Anunayake of Amarapura Sri Dhammarakshitha Nikaya, Most Ven. Thrikunamale Ananda Thero emphasized that the concept of saving, and thrift is significant to empower the country as well as the individuals financially, and National Savings Bank, which carries the mandate of inculcating the habit of saving, since its inception, immensely contributes towards ensuring the financial security of the nation. Most Ven. Thrikunamale Ananda Thero further observed that Ms. Kandambi, as the New General Manager/CEO of National Savings Bank, will strengthen its mission of bringing the population under the savings net.
Addressing the gathering, the Chairperson of the Bank, Dr. Harsha Cabraal PC, reminded us that as a Bank and individuals, we have tread upon a difficult path and now reached the year, 2024, passing yet another year full of challenges, grievances, and hardships.
The employees of the Bank have been the pillar of strength behind the Bank’s resilience and success. Dr. Cabraal warmly welcomed Ms.Kandambi to the NSB family and invited to join hands with the excellent team of employees to take the Bank to greater heights.
Ms. Shashi Kandambi, as the new General Manager/CEO, addressed the gathering and noted that NSB, having more than 4000 service points can achieve a competitive edge, by maintaining the human connection in the service offered by the Bank, while ensuring that the technology is in the forefront of our strategy. She guaranteed her strong commitment and will towards steering the Bank amidst challenges to realize corporate goals. Members of the Board of Directors, Corporate and Executive Management of the Bank, and representatives of the trade unions were present at the event.
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
