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Association of Cardiothoracic and Thoracic Surgeons of Sri Lanka hosts Annual Academic Sessions 2024
The Annual Academic Sessions 2024 of the Association of Cardiothoracic and Thoracic Surgeons of Sri Lanka (ACTSSL) kicked off with great fervor at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo on Friday. The academic sessions are set to continue until today, featuring a diverse range of events aimed at advancing knowledge, fostering professional development, and enhancing skills within the cardiothoracic and thoracic surgery field.
In a press release, the ACTSSL expressed pride in hosting only its second clinical meeting and highlighted the inclusion of six satellite events in this year’s program, covering pre and post-congress workshops. The symposiums and workshops were designed to provide insights and discussions on critical topics, catering to various levels of expertise within the medical community.
The Cardiothoracic Doctors Symposium on Jan 6 at Lanka Hospital marked the beginning of the series, bringing together 12 experts to delve into essential topics targeted at intermediate-level doctors. The subsequent Nurses Symposium at Durdans Hospital, held in collaboration with Addmac, received resounding success the following day.
Continuing the educational initiatives, a workshop on ‘Clinical Perfusion’ was conducted at Asiri Surgical Hospital on Jan 11 primarily for Perfusionists, in collaboration with AJ Medichem. On Jan 12, a symposium on minimally invasive Cardiac Surgery, in partnership with Medtronic, was held at Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital.
Looking ahead, the ACTSSL anticipates an Instrument Workshop for Decision Makers on Jan 20 at the Neuron-trauma auditorium of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Aesculap Academy and B Braun. The series concludes with the last satellite symposium on Trans Thoracic and Trans Oesophagial Echocardiography at Asiri Hospital, Kandy, in collaboration with the College of Cardiology on Jan 21.
The press release emphasized the significant developments in adult cardiothoracic and paediatric cardiothoracic surgery over the last 50 years, showcasing advancements in off-pump (beating heart) cardiac surgery, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, thoracoscopic cardiac surgery, and standard open-heart surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass.
Highlighting the progress in thoracic surgery in Sri Lanka, the statement noted the emergence of advanced thoracic surgical procedures and video-assisted thoracoscopic procedures, providing surgical treatment for conditions that were traditionally managed medically.
The path to becoming a specialized surgeon in these fields was outlined in the press release, underscoring the highly competitive MD(Surgery) Part I exam and the subsequent comprehensive training programs and exams. The progression is overseen by the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine at the University of Colombo, with specialized training in Sri Lanka and abroad.
ACTSSL, established in March 2013, comprises approximately 50 dedicated members in cardiothoracic surgery, thoracic surgery, paediatric cardiac surgery, and cardiac and thoracic surgical trainees. The association plays a crucial role in overseeing the educational programs, training sessions, and serving as an advisory body to healthcare institutions.
In the past year, ACTSSL has made significant strides in education, providing junior members with opportunities to curate and deliver lectures. Notable achievements include the ACTSSL Position Paper on Cardiac Surgery domains, a plan for establishing a comprehensive national Thoracic Service, and the development of an authoritative document titled ‘Quality Assessment of Surgeons.’
The association also played a pivotal role in the revision of Sri Lanka’s Tissue Act, showcasing its commitment to enhancing healthcare practices and standards in the nation. The Annual Academic Sessions 2024 stand as a testament to the ACTSSL’s dedication to progress and scientific advancements in the field of cardiothoracic and thoracic surgery.
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
