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Deep concerns arise as UNDP report reveals 55.7% of Lankans vulnerable to economic risk
Chairman of Parliament’s Ways and Means Committee, MP Patali Champika Ranawaka, has voiced profound apprehension about the current state of affairs and the looming prospect of heightened risk in the coming year. Alarming estimates from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) suggest that up to 8 out of 10 individuals in the country could fall into the risk zone.
This disquieting revelation arises from the UNDP’s latest report titled ‘Navigating Vulnerability: Insights from Sri Lanka’s Multidimensional Vulnerability Index’ for 2022-23, which has exposed startling statistics. The report indicates that a staggering 55.7% of Sri Lanka’s population, equating to over half of the nation’s inhabitants, grapples with multidimensional vulnerability.
Addressing a committee meeting held at the parliamentary complex, MP Ranawaka has underscored the immediate necessity to establish a structured and robust social safety net to safeguard the interests of the vulnerable segments of society, according to parliamentary sources.
The UNDP report elucidates various contributing factors to vulnerability, including a notable percentage of households lacking individuals who have attained Ordinary Levels (OL) in education. Furthermore, it reveals that 35.6% of the population lacks access to piped water in their residences, underscoring the critical need for equitable and widespread provision of safe water.
Ranawaka’s deep concerns extend not only to the present circumstances but also to the anticipated escalation of risks in the forthcoming year. His emphasis on the urgency of a formal and sturdy social safety net aligns with the report’s findings.
The comprehensive assessment within the report encompasses twelve crucial factors, encompassing aspects such as school attendance, health, access to sustenance and clean water, disaster preparedness, adaptability, quality of life, property ownership, employment status, and indebtedness.
Officials from various governmental bodies, including the Department of Social Services, Social Security Board, Welfare Benefits Board, and the Ministry of Finance, attended the meeting and engaged in discussions pertaining to the government’s social welfare programs and the social security network.
The Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee also pinpointed certain shortcomings in the beneficiary selection process for the ‘Awaswasuma’ benefit programme. Issues flagged include the inclusion of inappropriate criteria, improper data collection practices, and procedural intricacies within the appeals process. In response, he proposed the involvement of experienced officers, such as Grama Niladhari Officers, development officers, and agrarian research officers, to enhance the process’s efficiency and effectiveness.
This alarming revelation has stirred a renewed focus on addressing vulnerabilities within Sri Lanka and fortifying mechanisms for economic resilience among its citizens.
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
