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Ferry services between KKS and Nagapattinam launched
Connectivity with will be further enhanced through power grid connection, oil pipeline and setting up an economic corridor’
Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has said that the launch of the ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka is an affirmation of the people-centric policies of the Government of India.
Ferry services commenced on Saturday (14)
A statement issued by the Indian HC quoted Dr. Jaishankar as having said that the focus of their ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy is connectivity, cooperation and contacts and in the future, connectivity with Sri Lanka will be further enhanced through power grid connection, oil pipeline and setting up an economic corridor.
The minister highlighted that establishment of air and sea connectivity, smooth processing of visas and strengthening tourism links will make the lives of common people easier.
The ferry was flagged-off from Nagapattinam by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways of India Shri Sarbananda Sonowal at the Port and the External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar through video link. The ceremony was addressed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe virtually. The Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation of the Government of Sri Lanka, Nimal Siripala de Silva also joined the event virtually.
In his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled the vision document jointly adopted during the visit of the President of Sri Lanka to India in July 2023 for economic partnership between India and Sri Lanka, with the central theme of connectivity. He highlighted that connectivity brings closer the two countries and its people. Recalling the recent launch of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor during the G20 summit in India in September 2023, Prime Minister mentioned that the people of Sri Lanka will benefit from this connectivity corridor, as multimodal connectivity between India and Sri Lanka is strengthened. He further said that both Governments are working on fin-tech connectivity by linking UPI and Lanka Pay, and for connecting the energy grids to enhance energy security. Prime Minister added that the Governments will continue to work closely to start ferry services on the traditional Rameswaram-Talaimannar sector too.
In his remarks, highlighting the important role of ferry services in enhancing people-to-people ties between the two countries, President Ranil Wickeremesinghe thanked the Government of India and the Shipping Corporation of India for taking steps to commence the service.
Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways of India Shri Sarabananda Sonowal hailed the ferry launch as a historic step which will provide an efficient and cost-effective means of travel for the people of the two countries. In his remarks, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation of Sri Lanka, Hon. Nimal Siripala deSilva thanked the Government of India for the assistance extended in upgradation of the KKS Harbour which will bring immense benefits to the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.
The high-speed ferry is operated by the Shipping Corporation of India and has a capacity of 150 passengers. The maiden journey between Nagapattinam and KKS (about 60 nm) was covered in approx. 4 hours. The passengers who arrived at KKS on the maiden ferry were welcomed at the port by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation of Sri Lanka and the Consul General of India at Jaffna, who also saw off the first batch of passengers on the return voyage.
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
