News
Detection of first community spread Covid-19 case in two months ignites alarm
Lockdown in Divulapitiya, Minuwangoda areas
Daughter also tests positive
By Rathindra Kuruwita and Norman Palihawadana
Head of the National Operation Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) and Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva, yesterday, urged the public to avoid crowded areas as much as possible and adhere to the health guidelines because it had not yet been established how the COVID-19 patient, detected in the Gampaha District, had got infected.
Lt. Gen. Silva said that the 39-year-old patient, an apparel worker, had received medical treatment at a private dispensary on September 28 and been later admitted to Gampaha Hospital due to a respiratory tract infection. She had undergone a PCR test and tested positive for COVID-19, he added.
“She has been sent to the IDH. Her family members, too, have been quarantined. Members of several families who closely associated the patient have been sent to a quarantine centre. The patient is a supervisor at a garment factory and all those who worked in the same building as she and those who travelled with her in an office vehicle have been undergoing self-quarantine since Saturday. All others who had come into contact with her have been quarantined. All of them have undergone PCR testing.”
“As the security forces and health officials have not been able to trace her contact, a curfew has been declared in Divulapitiya and Minuwangoda Police areas until further notice, Lt. Gen. Silva said.
“Those who traveled to these areas too must be careful because we don’t know the source of the virus in this instance yet. At least half of those who work in the factory are residential but others come into contact with society. We are taking steps.”
The army commander reminded the people that they needed to adhere to health guidelines and should not lower their guard.
Head of the Health Ministry’s Epidemiology Unit, Dr. Sudath Samaraweera told The Island that it was the first COVID-19 patient found at the community level in two months. Samaraweera warned the community spread of the virus was possible at any time.
“It is important for people to stay at home as much as possible. We have been lucky to identify her due to random testing. I think we must continuously remind people that they should avoid crowded areas, continue physical distancing, wear masks and wash their hands in the prescribed manner regularly. It is also important for workplaces to follow guidelines and keep an eye on their workers.”
The daughter of the 39-year-old woman too had tested positive by yesterday evening, according to hospital sources.
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
