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Disaster warnings for much of the country after two lives were lost last weekend to freak weather
By Ifham Nizam
Torrential rains that wreaked havoc on some parts of the country during the weekend have claimed two lives and affected 83 people of 25 families, besides damaging 18 houses.
According to weather forecaster Indika Pushpakumara the two deaths were reported from the Eastern Province.
The Department of Meteorology yesterday forecast showers or thundershowers at several places in Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, North-central and Eastern provinces for this evening or tonight. Several spells of showers may occur in the Western province and in Galle, Matara and Puttalam districts.
The National Building Resources Organisation (NBRO) has also issued a landslide warning to residents in Badulla, Bandarawela, Ella, Haldummulla, Hali Ela and Welimada divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas in the Badulla District; Padukka and Seethawaka divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas in the Colombo District; Agalawatta, Bulathsinhala, Dodangoda, Ingiriya, Mathugama, Palindanuwara and Walallawita divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas in the Kalutara District; Ganga Ihala Korale, Gangawata Korale and Udadumbara divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas in the Kandy District; Bulathkohupitiya, Dehiowita, Deraniyagala, Ruwanwella, Warakapola and Yatiyanthota divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas in the Kegalle District;
Alawwa, Mawathagama, Narammala, Polgahawela and Rideegama divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas in the Kurunegala District; Laggala Pallegama, Matale, Rattota and Ukuwela divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas in the Matale District Ambagamuwa, Kotmale and Walapane divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas in the Nuwara-Eliya District; and Ratnapura and Eheliyagoda divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas in the Ratnapura District.
The public is also warned to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle.
Showers or thundershowers may also occur at a few places in the other sea areas around the island during the evening or night.
Winds will be Westerly and wind speed will be 20-30 kmph. Wind speed can increase up to35-45 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast, extending from Galle to Hambantota via Matara and in the deep sea areas off the coast, extending from Puttalam to Galle via Colombo.
The Galle to Hambantota via Matara and in the deep sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Galle via Colombo will be fairly rough at times. The other sea areas around the island will be slight to moderate.
Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
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
