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Chinese Ambassador tells Lanka to stand up for its rights to gain respect and end bullying
Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong says that many nations in the world, including China and Sri Lanka, are still suffering under the yoke of neo-colonialism and hegemonism.
Speaking during a visit to the Muthiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya, AmbassadorQi said China firmly upholds international fair play and justice, advocates the practice of true multilateralism, takes a clear stand against all hegemonism and power politics, and unswervingly opposes any unilateralism, protectionism and bullying. History has revealed that the deeper the cooperation between China and Sri Lanka and the stronger the friendship goes, the safer Sri Lanka’s sovereign independence, stronger its economic and social development, and the more secure its unique civilization will be. Besides, other forces will deal with Sri Lanka in a more equal, respectful and reciprocal manner.
Ambassador Qi visited the Uva Province to distribute dry rations boxes, under the Faxian Charity Project, to 1,500 needy families from all communities.
Ambassador Qi joined the Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiri Chapter, the Most Ven. Warakagoda Gnanarathana, in the distribution of dry rations at the historic Muthiyangana Temple where 500 families, from all communities, received rations gifted by the Chinese Buddhism Association and temples. Dignitaries across the Uva Province also attended the ceremony with the Mahanayake Thera. Distribution ceremonies have also been arranged in the coming two days at the Boralanda Temple in Welimada and the Yudaganawa Temple in Buttala.
Ambassador Qi made a special visit to the remote town of Keppetipola to pay tribute at the Keppetipola Disawe’s statue.
Accompanied by local government officials, Bhikkhus and primary school students, Ambassador Qi laid wreaths at the statue of Keppetipola Disawe, with a ribbon saying Tribute to heroes who fought bravely for independence and freedom against colonization and invasion——by Embassy of China in Sri Lanka.”
Ambassador Qi said China would continually support Sri Lankan people fighting against all challenges, both domestic and external.
Qi said that the relations and Buddhist friendship between China and Sri Lanka has a history of more than two thousand years. The two peoples always learn from each other and help each other. Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 epidemic, especially after Sri Lanka faced the worst economic crisis since independence last year, China shares the difficulties encountered by Sri Lankan brothers and sisters, and the Chinese central government, local authorities, ministries and social organizations have extended a helping hand, providing all kinds of assistance, from vaccines to medicines, from rice to fuel, from school uniforms to school bags, etc., which have been warmly welcomed and widely praised by people of all walks of life in Sri Lanka. “As a good brother, good friend and good partner of Sri Lanka, no matter the past, present or future, no matter what difficulties and challenges you encounter, the Chinese people will always stand with you. We believe that Sri Lanka, with its long and unique civilization and indomitable spirit, with the history of having overcome countless foreign invasions, terrorism, tsunami and other disasters in its history, will certainly be able to overcome the current temporary economic difficulties.”
Ambassador Qi stressed that the people of Sri Lanka are an indomitable people and a heroic people. This year marks the 75th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s independence, and it is meaningful to visit the Uva Province where the first great rebellion against the brutal rule of the British colonialists took place about 200 years ago. We pay tribute to Keppetipola Disawa and others who led this rebellion for independence and freedom against colonization and invasion.
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
