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ComBank supports traditional rice producers in Kokkadichcholai
Farmers in Kokkadichcholai, Batticaloa, have received financial and technical support and equipment to facilitate their traditional trade of rice production, as the latest beneficiaries of Commercial Bank of Ceylon’s Dirishakthi Value Chain Development Programme.
The Bank embarked on this exercise to drive financial inclusion among smallholder farmers in this area in partnership with the Women’s Society in Kokkadichcholai. Its ultimate objective is to increase the production capacity in the area and enhance rural livelihoods. To support this mandate, the Bank also donated 30 paddy-boiling aluminum pans to selected farmers in the community. The livelihood of this community revolves around collecting paddy, preparing traditional rice and supplying local markets and individuals in the Batticaloa town.
The Commercial Bank Batticaloa branch along with the Bank’s Bank on Wheels – Eastern arm, the Bank’s corresponding Agriculture and Micro Finance Unit (AMFU) and the Development Credit Department (DCD) collaborated on this ‘Dirishakthi Value Chain Development Programme’ which culminated in a ceremony that was held in Kokkadichcholai, recently.
After donating the cooking utensils to the Women’s Society, Commercial Bank’s officials elaborated on the services offered by the Bank on Wheels operation and the Bank’s products and services available to the community.
Speaking at the ceremony, the President of the Women’s Society, Mrs P. Sakunthaladevi said: “Through the Bank on Wheels operation, Commercial Bank has been providing basic banking services such as account opening, cash deposits and withdrawals, micro loans, agri leases and other banking related services to our farmers on at least four days of the month. We are grateful to receive these services which have been instrumental in expanding our trade, enhancing productivity, and even improving our lifestyle. Of the 80 members in our Society, nearly 45 have obtained Dirishakthi loans from the Commercial Bank Batticaloa branch. This capital inflow boost has not only increased the income of these families but enhanced the livelihoods and quality of life of our community as a whole.”
The Women’s Society in Kokkadichcholai, soon to be registered as the ‘Padayanadavely Women’s Society,’ was established in 2019 with the support of Commercial Bank’s Bank on Wheels operation as a small association comprising 12 farmer members who were engaged in cultivation, traditional rice making, and animal husbandry.
A similar initiative conducted under the Bank’s Dirishakthi Value Chain Development Programme was the provision of assistance to the dairy value chain of the Mullaitivu Livestock Breeders Cooperative Society. This value chain consisting of farmers, milk collectors, producers, product transporters, and retailers to the end consumer were supported with banking services and access via the Bank on Wheels. Members of this community who had lost their assets including livestock during the conflict also had the opportunity to obtain loans to purchase cattle and develop cattle sheds.
The Bank also donated a set of cooler boxes to support a group of dairy farmers in Mulliyawalai. The coolers help preserve the freshness of the products and are essential in the safe transportation of dairy products. Following these measures, community members reported an increase in milk production and their income.
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
