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Foreign Secy. underscores significance of economic partnership with the UK
Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane has highlighted the significance of Sri Lanka’s economic partnership with the UK, under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which provides duty free access to the UK market, as well as in other sectors, such as enhancing UK’s contribution to Sri Lanka’s tourism and skilled labour migration.
Wijewardane addressed this issue when she received Permanent Under-Secretary of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom, Sir Philip Barton, at the Foreign Ministry, in Colombo, on Tuesday (17). The constructive bilateral engagement took place in the 75th year of UK-SL diplomatic relations.
Foreign Secretary Wijewardane briefed the UK Permanent Under-Secretary on current developments in the country and the Government’s plans for 2023 as a year of socio-economic stabilization, reconciliation and recovery. Permanent Under- Secretary Barton encouraged Sri Lanka’s efforts and reiterated the support of the UK in this regard.
The two sides appreciated the potential to further expand trade and investment ties, including reaction to climate change objectives, and in achieving Sri Lanka’s target of achieving 70% renewable energy by 2030.
Both sides reiterated their mutual interest to initiate a Sri Lanka – UK Dialogue in the first quarter of 2023, with a view to elevating the existing multifaceted engagement and to work towards achieving tangible results through a result-oriented approach on several areas of mutually beneficial cooperation.
Foreign Secretary Wijewardane and Permanent Under-Secretary of the FCDO appreciated the vibrant people-to-people ties emanating from the significant community of Sri Lankan heritage in the UK. Foreign Secretary Wijewardane apprised the Permanent Under Secretary on the Government’s intent to further engage with the overseas Sri Lankan community to better harness their synergies for mutual benefit. It was agreed to commemorate the 75th anniversary of UK-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations this year in a manner reflective of the long standing relations in a forward-looking and result-oriented manner.
In an exchange of views on regional and international developments, Foreign Secretary Wijewardena briefed the UK Permanent Under-Secretary on Sri Lanka’s policy priorities in Indian Ocean engagement, as well as the country’s assumption of the Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) this year.
During the visit, Sir Barton called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry, the State Minister of Finance, Shehan Semasinghe, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Sagala Ratnayaka.
Sir Philip Barton was accompanied by the British High Commissioner, Sarah Hulton, and officials of the British High Commission and the UK FCDO. Senior officials of the Foreign Ministry also participated in the meeting.
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
