News
Destruction to its natural habitat traps 15 Western Purple-faced Langurs
In the Karadiyana natural wetlands
By Ifham Nizam
Fifteen Western Purple-faced Langurs have been trapped in the Karadiyana natural wetlands due to the ongoing destruction to its natural habitat by the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLD), researchers pointed out.
In 2020, some 337 animals were brought to the wildlife rehabilitation and healthcare centre in Attidiya. However, 270 of them perished especially due to loss of habitat.
Adjoining a river, a mangrove associated marshland of about 17 acres of wetlands have been excavated to create islets without an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) by SLLD, the researchers claimed.
At present, what is left of this valuable wetland area is only about five acres. Most of the endemic and other species that lived there have either declined or had completely disappeared, wildlife experts said.
“The SLLDC not only destroys the serene environment but also wastes large amount of public money to excavate these wetlands”, a researcher pointed out.
Environmentalists strongly believe that it is high time the government called for an investigation into this rape of biodiversity
Wetlands in and around Colombo are intrinsically connected with the well-being of the city and its people. Not only do they play an important role in flood control, air purification, temperature control, food and medicine, the sense of peace and calm that this natural world offers is key to the mental well-being of humans, it has been pointed out.
Wetlands have a unique and rich biodiversity. The wetlands in and around Colombo are home to over 150 species of birds, 44 species of reptiles and 31 species of freshwater fish.
The survival of the two types of blind eels and the Horadandiya, the smallest freshwater fish in Sri Lanka found only on the western strip depends on the proaqtection of these wetlands. Gradual destruction of the wetlands has already resulted in endangering the survival of blind eels, and the other species are also close to being listed as ‘endangered’.
Of the 22 mammals that inhabit the wetlands, the purple-faced langur (purple-faced leaf monkey) and the fishing cat are on the endangered list. The purple-faced languris are listed in the IUCN’s (The International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List as one of the 448 species of monkeys in the world, and is also in the list of the 25 monkey species that are in the critically endangered list, facing extinction.
Established to reclaim and develop marshy and low-lying areas among other functions, the SLLDC has systematically destroyed and continues to threaten the survival of the biodiversity of the wetlands by excavating to enlarge waterways and boundaries, build roads, uproot trees, and play around with the natural boundaries of the wetlands, which further destroy habitats of many other species, environmentalists asserted.
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
