News
Big boost for ‘1990 Suwaseriya ambulance service’
Prez, Sudarshini receive SJB MP’s appreciation
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Dr. Harsha de Silva has praised Epidemics and Covid Disease Control State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle for proposing to strengthen the ‘1990 Suwasariya ambulance service’, gifted by India, during Ranil Wickremesinghe tenure as the Prime Minister.
Dr. de Silva, who spearheaded the Suwaseriya project, said that Dr. Fernandopulle couldn’t have made her move at a better time as the country battled the increased threat posed by the raging Covid-19 pandemic.
The former UNP non-Cabinet Minister appreciated President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for high level support the incumbent government extended to the Suwaseriya project.
The Colombo District lawmaker was responding to an announcement made by Dr. Fernandopulle’s Ministry as regards President Gotabaya Rajapaksa approving her proposal to procure an additional 112 ambulances to strengthen the service.
Declaring that decisions should be taken for the betterment of the country, regardless of political differences, MP de Silva said. The lawmaker, blamed the pathetic situation today on those who gained power and allegedly did away with projects launched by the previous administration, regardless of the consequences. The changing of policies, following national level elections, was the bane of the country, the top SJB spokesperson said.
Recalling fierce attacks on the Suwaseriya project, MP de Silva said that the then Joint Opposition slammed the Indian gift as it was launched. Some alleged that the Suwaseriya ambulance service even posed a security threat and people with vested interests could operate in any part of the country, MP de Silva said.
Some alleged that Suwaseriya would suffer a natural death once the ambulances supplied by India became unusable. However, Suwaseriya would shortly receive a big boost with the acquisition of 112 new ambulances.
The SJB MP also appreciated the role played by the then Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe and Indian leader Narendra Modi for making such a valuable donation.
Dr. de Silva emphasized the pivotal importance in the government and the Opposition reaching consensus on vital matters or, in other words, pursuing a national agenda instead of politics of destruction.
Epidemics and Covid Disease Control State Minister Dr. Fernandopulle also holds the primary healthcare portfolio.
The State Minister’s Media Secretary Thusitha Jayewardena said that the Ministry submitted two proposals, including the one on Suwaseriya expansion for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s approval. The Ministry also asked for Rs 5,727.36 mn for the payment of ‘Senior Citizens Allowances’ to 238,640 persons awaiting inclusion into the beneficiary list maintained by the National Secretariat for Elders.
The ‘1990 Suwaseriya ambulance service’ and the National Secretariat for Elders come under the purview of Dr. Fernandopulle.
Against the sharp surge in Covid-19 cases, the ‘1990 Suwasariya ambulance service’ received as many as 5,300 calls a day and moved about 1,000 persons on a daily basis, the Media Secretary said.
The ‘1990 Suwasariya ambulance service’ comprises 1,393 workers and 297 ambulances, deployed in all parts of the country.
The Media Secretary said that the Suwaseriya established during the previous administration with USD 22 mn Indian grant today provided services free of charge, courtesy the government of Sri Lanka.
The Ministry would soon submit the proposal to acquire 112 new ambulances to the Cabinet of ministers.
The acquisition of new ambulances would facilitate and augment the services provided in the provinces, the aide said.
Lawmaker de Silva said that he was overwhelmed by the success achieved by the Suwaseriya project, launched by him, in spite of heavy opposition as well as personal attacks. “The project couldn’t have become what it is today if not for the support extended by Suwaseriya Chairman Duminda Ratnayake, Ms. Sandya Salgado, Director and CEO Sohan de Silva”. Responding to another query, MP de Silva insisted that they weren’t paid or provided facilities as all of them worked on a 100 per cent voluntary basis.
MP de Silva said that he was able to allocate money required to establish sub stations in support of the Suwaseriya project during the previous administration. The former non-Cabinet Minister said that a project to set up the first sub-station was launched during the previous administration. The work was brought to a successful conclusion during the ongoing pandemic.
The Indian grant greatly strengthened Sri Lanka’s capacity to meet an emergency, Dr de Silva said, recalling the deployment of Suwaseriya ambulances in the immediate aftermath of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks
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
