News
AGM of United Nations Association of Sri Lanka
The 74th Annual General Meeting of the United Nations Association of Sri Lanka was held on Sunday, 31st March 2024 at the UNASL National Secretariat in Panadura.The following were unanimously elected to the National Executive Committee of the United Nations Association of Sri Lanka, for the fiscal year 2024/2025.
President: Mr. M. M. Zawahir
Chairman of the Executive Committee:
Dr. M. M. M. Rushanudeen
Secretary-General : Mr. Errol Smith
Treasurer : Mr. Kumudu Weerasinghe
Editor & Assistant Treasurer :
Mr. Dharmadasa Vitharana
Deputy Chairmen of the Ex-Co :
(1) Mr. Sampath Priyankarara
(2) Mr. M.D. Siriwardena
Vice Chairmen of the Ex-Co :
(1) Mr. R. H. Ashoka Perera
(2) Dr. Sarath Samarage
(3) Dr. T. Anver Dole
Assistant Secretaries-General:
(1) Dr. Upali Jayawardena
(2) Ms. Panchali Rathnayake
(3) Dr. H. Ravi Nagarajah
(4) Mr. M.A. Rohan Fernando
Ordinary Ex-Co Members:
(1) Mr. K. Ajitha Jayarathne
(2) Mr. Arthula Kanagaratne
(3) Ms. D.R.K. Wijewardana
(4) Mr. Sanjeewa Peiris
(5) Mr. M.W.Wimal Fernando
(6) Mr. Kushan Fernando.
The AGM commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag and UNASL Flag by Mr. M.M Zawahir (President) and Mr. Errol Smith (Secretary-General), respectively. This was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the National Flag of Sri Lanka and the United Nations Flag. One-minute silence was observed, as a mark of respect for those departed UNASL, WFUNA, UN Members as well as those affiliated and associated to the UN, Heads of State and Governments of UN Member-States, who have passed away and/or laid down their lives under the UN Flag), followed by the adoption of the Secretary-General’s Annual Report for 2023, and the adoption of the Treasurer’s Audited Annual
Statement of Accounts for the year ended 2023.
Mr. Sumathi Fernando was unanimously elected Pro-tem Chairman. He conducted the Election for the office of President and announced the name of Mr. M.M. Zawahir as the duly elected President.Thereafter, the President took his oath of office before the pro-tem chairman. The President Mr. Zawahir then took the chair
and conducted the election of the other office bearers who were all unanimously elected to their respective positions on the Executive Committee of
the Association. Those elected then took their oath of office before the President.
Speeches were delivered by the President, Mr. M.M. Zawahir and Secretary-General, Mr. Errol Smith, who also proposed the Vote of Thanks.The meeting was then formally terminated,which was followed by music, networking, fellowship and lunch.It is noteworthy to mention that the United Nations Association in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, short titled United Nations Association of Sri Lanka, is one of the oldest Non- Governmental Voluntary Service Organizations in Sri Lanka which was established on 19th August 1950 (five years before Sri Lanka was admitted as a Member State of the United Nations on 14th
December 1955).
Significantly the UNA – SRI LANKA is an organization that has been authorized in writing, by the United Nations Office – Legal Affairs Division, to use the United Nations logo with the inscription “UNA – SRI LANKA” on the top of the said logo. UN Association of Sri Lanka, which is a registered Non-Governmental
Organization, is the sole National Affiliate of the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA), in Sri Lanka, which comprising
over 100 member countries and was admitted as a member of WFUNA in 1951. The WFUNA being founded on 2nd August 1946 by Special Resolution 137 (1) of 17th November 1947, adopted at the United Nations General Assembly.
The activities of the UNA-SRI LANKA, involves,taking the message of the United Nations to the grassroots of the Sri Lankan population, with the co-operation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Development Program, which includes the United Nations Information Center in
Colombo. UNASL currently has over 2,000 members on roll, comprising Special Life, Life, Honorary Corporate, Complimentary and Honorary Members as well as 326 schools registered under an island wide UNASL Study Circles program introduced in 1981 and is approved by the Ministry of Education.
We also have a conferred category of membership known as “Diplomatic Membership” for Ambassadors and High Commissioners currently accredited to Sri Lanka. This program is in the process of being reactivated. UNA-SRI LANKA, carries out numerous and significant activities includes its contribution towards maintaining peace and security, promoting human rights and democracy, preventive and curative health related activities which include screening and awareness programs on Diabetes and Vision, Environmental protection, Alleviation of Poverty, Economic development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
ERROL SMITH
SECRETARY GENERAL
UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION OF SRI LANKA
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
