News
Empowering SL paddy farmers through Innovative Learning
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Department of Agriculture in collaboration with European Union (EU), have launched a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing the knowledge and practices of Integrated Plant Nutrient Management (IPNM) among paddy farmers across Sri Lanka. This initiative is marked by the commencement of a series of Farmer Field Days, starting with the inaugural Farmer Field Day in Polonnaruwa on 05 March and the introduction of the ground breaking digital learning platform, Nena Wagawa.
The inaugural Farmer Field Day, held under the theme “Fertile Soil for a Bountiful Harvest,” was inaugurated by Johann Hesse, Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives; Vimlendra Sharan, FAO Representative in Sri Lanka and the Maldives; and key representatives from the Department of Agriculture. 330 farmers and agriculture students from two schools participated, gaining hands-on experience and insights into the application of IPNM techniques for more sustainable and productive farming.
The Farmer Field Days are a key component of the RiceUP project, a collaborative effort between FAO and the Sri Lankan government, funded with Euro 4 million from the European Union. RiceUP aims to fortify the resilience of Sri Lanka’s food security system by advancing IPNM practices among smallholder farmers, thereby enhancing their livelihoods while boosting the production of quality paddy seeds for better productivity in paddy farming.
Central to this initiative is the launch of the Nena Wagawa digital learning platform, a pioneering step towards bringing IPNM knowledge directly to farmers. This online portal offers comprehensive e-learning courses in Sinhala, Tamil, and English, designed to educate farmers on the nuances of IPNM in paddy farming. Accessible from anywhere through internet-connected devices, nenawagawa.doa.gov.lk is set to revolutionize how farmers learn and apply sustainable agricultural practices.
The RiceUP initiative has already made significant strides, with 6,000 farmers across Ampara, Badulla, Hambantota, and Polonnaruwa districts receiving training on IPNM from 289 Agriculture Extension Officers. This training aims to promote the efficient use of fertilizers and other inputs, leading to reduced costs, improved productivity, and enhanced resilience against future agricultural challenges.
On the occasion, Johann Hesse expressed, “Our collaboration with FAO signifies a shared commitment to revitalizing Sri Lanka’s agriculture, addressing food shortages, and enhancing the livelihoods of farmers. Together, we have supplied essential inputs like fertilizers and seedlings, meeting crucial needs within the sector. We anticipate that the ongoing EU grant, along with FAO’s technical assistance, will expedite the shift toward a more sustainable, resilient, and productive agriculture sector in Sri Lanka.”
Vimlendra Sharan FAO Representative in Sri Lanka thanked EU for its support in introducing sustainable and climate smart agronomic practices in Sri Lanka and shared FAO’s plans to scale up the training programme and take it to over 400,000 paddy farmers in the country.
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
