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AFI Corp launches Innovation Labs in Colombo
AFI Corp, a technology solutions company that services a diverse clientele across the globe, unveiled its state-of-the-art Innovation Labs recently. Located in the business and technology hub of Colombo 3, AFI Corp Innovation Labs is set to be a groundbreaking space where creativity, technology and innovation converge.
The newly established Innovation Labs marks another milestone in the company’s journey and will serve as a hub for creativity, collaboration and innovation. The trailblazing facility, spanning over 2,400 sq.ft., has been meticulously designed by design experts to inspire and empower talented minds to push the boundaries of technology and generate transformative solutions that address real business challenges. It is also a highly secure space, protected by fingerprint access control, surveillance cameras and sophisticated cyber security protocols.
AFI Corp’s Innovation Labs will bring together the most sought-after talent in Sri Lanka, enable them with cutting-edge technology and serve as an empowering space where experimentation is encouraged, ideas are nurtured, and collaboration is possible across geographies and industries.
“We are incredibly excited to unveil our new Innovation Labs,” said Senior Manager at AFI Corp, Francis Renalt Niroshan. “The Innovation Labs reflects our commitment to innovation and our dedication to fostering a collaborative environment where brilliant minds can thrive. We believe that by bringing together diverse talents and disciplines in an environment carefully designed to enable innovation, we can develop solutions that will shape the future of business,” he added.
Equipped with advanced infrastructure and technologies, AFI Corp Innovation Labs features dedicated spaces and open work areas, comfortable breakout zones and fun game rooms as well as collaborative meeting rooms, that encourage deep thinking, brainstorming and cross-functional collaboration, ensuring staff members have the resources and environment they need to develop innovative ideas and transform them into reality.
AFI Corp Innovation Labs will also serve as a strategic center for partnerships and collaboration with academic institutions, industry leaders and startups, creating a vibrant ecosystem that fosters knowledge sharing, drives innovation and propels Sri Lankan talent and business into the cutting-edge of the global marketplace.
AFI Corp is a fast-growing Sri Lankan organization that provides technology solutions and staff augmentation services to companies across the world. As a technology partner, AFI Corp provides a wide range of IT services including cyber security, software development and cloud solutions as well as niche industry solutions. The business also connects Sri Lankan talent with a broad range of reputed companies across the world, boosting remote work and foreign currency inflows into the country. In Sri Lanka, AFI Corp introduced the world’s very first structured therapy app, IWill, and has worked to combat the stigma against mental health.
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
