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FAO and China launch US $1.5 Mn project to strengthen fruit value chains in Lanka
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) initiated a 1.5 million USD project via funding from China as part of the South-South Cooperation (SSC) program, to improve the quality and value of Sri Lankan fruits in the global market by improving the production and commercialization of fruit value-chains in Sri Lanka.
The project initiation was marked with a workshop held in Colombo. The interventions, implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, will focus on practical field-based training programmes including the establishment of model fruit farms, and improving post-harvest handling, marketing, and commercialization of the selected fruit varieties. The project which will be implemented in Kalutara, Gampaha, Monaragala, Anuradhapura, and Kilinochchi districts will focus on productivity, production, and commercialization of the fruit value-chains of three main Sri Lankan fruit crops – banana, mango, and pineapple.
Director of FAO’s South-South and Triangular Cooperation Division, Anping Ye appreciated the strong support by the Chinese government and the concerted efforts made by all stakeholders in the project preparation and implementation. He also highlighted the important role of national ownership and strong leadership of the Government for the project success.
A team of nine Chinese technical experts have begun working alongside their counterparts from the Fruit Research Development Institute (FRDI) and the National Institute of Post-Harvest Management (NIPHM) of Sri Lanka to implement the program over the next two and a half years.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Director General of the Foreign Economic Cooperation Center (FECC) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), Lin Huifang, said the South-South Cooperation provides a fantastic approach to build partnerships. She asked the expert team to comply with the Tripartite Agreement (TPA) and give their best performance in providing technical support to Sri Lanka.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Shiromani Edirimanne, Additional Secretary (Agri-technology), of the Ministry of Agriculture said, “This project has been designed to address the present issues of Sri Lanka’s fruit value chains through consultations with all relevant partners. This program represents a significant milestone in the development of Sri Lanka’s fruit production sector and is a testament to the strong partnership between Sri Lanka and China through FAO Sri Lanka.”
“All stakeholders including farmers, processors, and traders have a shared interest in improving the quality of fruit produced in Sri Lanka. Prioritizing interventions such as these will lead to more efficient, resilient, and sustainable fruit value chains that are able to withstand not only environmental shocks but market uncertainties as well,’ FAO’s Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Vimlendra Sharan said speaking at the event.
Sri Lanka has a rich diversity of fruits with approximately 100 edible fruit crops. However, the fruit sector remains underdeveloped. As a result, the sector suffers from poor cultivation and high post-harvest losses leading to low yield and inadequate adherence to international quality standards. This project aims to address such concerns and strengthen the fruit value chains in the domestic as well as export markets.
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
