News
Dr. Kishu Gomes appointed Chairman of Exterminators PLC
Exterminators PLC last week announced the appointment of Dr. Kishu Gomes as its chairman. Dr. Kishu Gomes is a corporate leader with an impressive track record, having held leadership positions in both multinational corporations and local conglomerates. His tenure as Chairman of Exterminators PLC is a significant milestone for the company, as it marks the beginning of a new chapter under his guidance and leadership. Dr. Gomes has a wealth of experience in the corporate world, having been awarded numerous accolades and recognition for his exemplary performance and leadership.
His experience as the youngest Asian CEO to head a truly American multinational, Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC and Chevron Ceylon Ltd, and his extended leadership role in the global lubricant operation demonstrate his capability to lead and drive growth in the global context. His achievements at Chevron, including setting performance records such as number one on return on capital employed, number one dividend payer, and most profitable listed entity on the Colombo Stock Exchange, speak to his ability to deliver exceptional business performance.
Dr. Kishu Gomes’ early career with Coca-Cola and his instrumental role in the company’s market leadership transformation in Sri Lanka showcases his strategic thinking and marketing acumen. His international exposure with Coke in Singapore and Vietnam, as well as his tenure as the Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism following the industry’s recovery from the Easter Attack, further highlight his versatility and ability to navigate challenging situations.
Dr. Kishu Gomes has probably been awarded the highest number of individual performance awards as a corporate leader in Sri Lanka, which include the Inaugural Best Marketer by the Chartered Institute of Marketing, the Inaugural Best Young Corporate Director by the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors, the TOYP Award for Excellence in Business Leadership, the Best Business Leader in Sri Lanka by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, the Most Outstanding Sri Lankan Award by Lions International, and the Best Business Leader in Sri Lanka by the Human Rights Organisation.
In addition to his corporate leadership, Dr. Kishu Gomes has made substantial contributions to national initiatives, serving on high-level expert committees, and shaping the country’s sustainable development vision and strategy. His leadership role in various organisations, including the American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka, the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors, reflects his commitment to contributing for the growth and development of the business community.
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
