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Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE gifts autographed books to the WNPS
Dr. Jane Goodall, recently gifted several signed copies of her “The Book of Hope” to the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka (WNPS) for their library and to Sri Lankan youth as a means of spreading the word and inspiring them to remain hopeful of their future,.
An ethologist and environmentalist, Dr. Goodall is Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and a UN Messenger of Peace and is known for her ground-breaking research into the lives of wild chimpanzees in Gombe, western Tanzania. Dr. Goodall was interested to learn of the work being done by WNPS to protect Sri Lankan nature and its different species, including the Toque Macaques, who were under threat of export in the recent past ( www.wnpssl.org ).
Dr. Goodall’s powerful message to protect all living creatures is complemented by her campaign to spread optimism and hope for future generations as evidenced by Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots programme. Founded in 1991, Roots & Shoots empowers young people of all ages to become involved in hands-on projects of their choosing to benefit people, animals (including domestic animals) and the environment and is now active in more than 65 countries.
At the invitation of the WNPS, she addressed and inspired Sri Lankan audiences through the Nations Trust WNPS public lecture series two years ago, (see Monthly Lectures – The Wildlife & Nature Protection Society, Sri Lanka (wnpssl.org) ) and continues to engage with the team when possible. Among many elements touched on during her message for International Biodiversity Day this year she spoke of the importance of Ecosystems, Rewilding, and Green Forest Corridors as critical elements for species protection and was happy to hear about the efforts of WNPS PLANT to build more forest corridors in Sri Lanka (www.plantsl.org).
“She encouraged us all to keep working on these tough challenges and urged us to seek to find a better balance with our wildlife. Dr. Goodall also pointed out the similarities in the work being done by the WNPS Youth Wing and her global humanitarian and environmental programme Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots (www.rootsandshoots.global) and encouraged WNPS to explore opportunities to partner further,” the release said.
Accepting the books and thanking her on behalf of the WNPS team, Past President Sriyan de Silva Wijeyeratne extended the WNPS appreciation to her for her inspiration and support for the work being done by the teams and partners, and for shining a bright light for so many to follow.
“The WNPS, as the third oldest conservation organization in the world, wishes her all success and good health, as she continues her tireless dedication towards building hope for the natural world, and for humanity. The WNPS hopes that she might be able to find time amidst her busy schedule to visit Sri Lanka at some future date to address local audiences in person,” the release concluded.
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
