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‘Buddhism’s Response to COVID 19 Pandemic’
International Buddhist Conference 2020
The National Council for International Affairs of the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress (ACBC) has organized the International Buddhist Conference on November 7 and 8 from 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm Sri Lanka time via zoom, the organizers announced.
The theme of the Conference will be “Buddhism’s Response to COVID 19 Pandemic” and the Anusasana at the Inauguration of the Conference on November 7 at 2.00 pm was delivered by Most Ven Prof Kotapitiye Rahula Anunayaka Thero of the Kotte Srikalyani Samagreedhamma Maha Sangha Sabha & Main Secretary, Professor Pali and Buddhist Studies Division, Peradeniya University. The Government of Burma awarded the highest Honorary Degree “Aggamahapanditha” award to Ven Anunanyake Thero recently.
The welcome address was delivered by Prof Lakshman R. Watawala, Chairman, National Council for International Affairs of the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress (ACBC) and Vice President ACBC. Thereafter, the President of the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress and Vice President of the World Federation of Buddhists Jagath Sumathipala will deliver his address.
The first Session on Buddha’s Teachings to overcome COVID – 19 Pandemic was chaired by Justice Yasantha Kodagoda, PC, Judge of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. This session covered three presentations relating to the topic.
The first presentation on the Rathana Suthraya – A discourse to overcome disasters was delivered by Ven Prof Medagampitiye Wijithadhamma Thero, Prof of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
The next was on the Girimananda Suthraya – Ten perceptions for Healing of Suffering delivered by Prof. Sumanapala Galmangoda, Course Coordinator, Dean, Faculty of Buddhist Therapeutic Systems of Medicine, Dean Faculty of Graduate Studies, Chief Medical Officer, Buddhist ?yurvedic Counseling and Psychiatry, N?g?nanda Teaching Hospital.
The final presentation Coping with Pandemic and Overcoming Suffering from a Buddhist Perspective was delivered by Dr Tavivat Puntarigvivat Visiting Professor at the Thai Studies Program, Pridi Banomyong International College, Thammasat University in Bangkok on a research study undertaken by him.
Thereafter, a panel discussion followed moderated by Prof. Chandima Wijebandara, former Vice Chancellor, University of Sri Jayewadenepura.
The panelists were Dr. Rathnasiri Rathnayaka, Senior Lecturer, Department of Buddhist Thought Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya, Dr, Praneeth Abeysundera, Senior Lecturer of Sociology and Anthropology, Sri Jayewardenepura University, Past President All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, Ven. Senior Prof. Uturawela Dhammaratana Thero, Department of Pali, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, Ven. Vajiraramaye Nanasiha Thero, Patron Servants of the Buddha, Bhante Mahinda Founder and Spiritual Director of the Aloka Foundation, Malaysia.
He is also the abbot of the Aloka Meditation Centre in Australia, founder and Spiritual Director of the Australian Buddhist Mission, Inc. and Ven. Halayale Wimalarathana Thera, President of the International Buddhist Foundation (IBF), Geneva, Switzerland.
On the second day – November 8, the conference will be held via zoom from 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm
The theme of Session 2. is Right Mindfulness and Meditation the Buddhist Way to Overcome Covid -19 Pandemic.
This session will be chaired by Deepal Sooriarachchi, Mindfulness Teacher, Post Graduate Institute of Management University of Sri Jayewardenepura, who will introduce the theme of the session.
The Keynote Address on Right Mindfulness the Buddhist Way to overcome COVID -19 Pandemic will be delivered by Most. Ven. Dhammajiva Maha Thero, Chief Meditation Master, Meetirigala Nissarana Vanaya.
The next address on the Power of Meditation to relieve stress, strain and increase resilience – Neuropsychiatric perspective will be delivered by Dr. Kumari Galboda, Consultant Psychiatrist in Old Age Psychiatry, Essex Partnership University, NHS Foundation Trust, Rochford Hospital, Essex, UK
The third address on The Four Noble Truths and Noble Eightfold Path – Liberation from Suffering will be delivered by Ven. Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thero, Head London Buddhist Vihara and Chief Sanganayaka Great Britain.
The final address will be delivered on Right Mindfulness – A Buddhist survival kit in the pandemic by Ajahn Sujato Co-founder, Suttacentral.net Sydney.
This will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Nalaka Hewamadduma, Educator and Author, Mental Skills development. The panelists will comprise: Ven. Panadure Chandraratne Thero, Deputy Abbot, Meethirigala Nissarana Vanaya, Meetirigala, Rev. Dr. Bhante Saranapala – The Urban Buddhist Monk, Founder and President “Canada A Mindful and Kind Nation”, West End Buddhist Temple & Meditation Centre, Mississauga, Canada, Dr. Sumana Ratnayaka, Retired Senior Lecturer, Pali & Buddhist Studies, University of Peradeniya (studied at Kelaniya, Uppsala, Oxford, Lund and Peradeniya Universities).
She holds a doctorate on the subject of Mindfulness: An exploratory study of the Buddhist Meditation in Sri Lanka and is currently resident in Lund, Sweden, Ven. Rathanapala Mahawela. Asst. Lecturer. Pali & Buddhist Studies University of Peradeniya and Dr. Sunil Kariyakarawana, Buddhist Advisor to Her Majesty’s British Armed Services.
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
