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French Development Agency AFD strengthens its base here
The French Development Agency’s (Agence Française de Développement also known as AFD) Regional Directorate is strengthening its base in Sri Lanka in line with the commemoration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and France. It also marks the enduring partnership between AFD Group and its Sri Lankan partners, which began in 2005 when supporting the post-tsunami reconstruction.
AFD, which finances the public sector, NGOs, research and training, committed EUR 89 million to essential infrastructure impacted by the tsunami. AFD collaborated with key entities, such as the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB), and the Road Development Authority (RDA). It has also collaborated on projects co-financed with the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
In 2008, Proparco, which is the private sector financing arm of AFD Group, initiated its first partnership with a EUR 5 million credit line with LOLC. Expertise France, dedicated to providing technical assistance, designing and implementing projects that reinforce public policies over the long term, commenced its first project in Sri Lanka in 2023 with a EUR 5 million allocation from European Funds. Today, the entire AFD Group stands present and engaged in Sri Lanka.
The AFD Group’s portfolio now boasts over 30 projects, reflecting a commitment of EUR 708 million in loans, grants, and technical assistance dedicated to supporting Sri Lanka towards its sustainable development goals. The journey of AFD Group since 2005 has been captured in the form of a photo exhibition, curated to illustrate the various projects in which Sri Lanka and France have joined hands. It highlights the diversity of sectors and areas of intervention across the country and the strong relationships fostered through the years.
In his speech at the event marking the now complete presence of AFD Group in Sri Lanka, Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Jean-François Pactet said: “The establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and France took place on 27 October 1948. Since early October of this year, the Embassy of France has launched a series of actions and events to mark the longevity of this strong relationship. Also for nearly 20 years, the French Development Agency has played a key role in consolidating relations between Sri Lanka and France. France is the 4th largest international public creditor in Sri Lanka with many development projects implemented by AFD and financed through concessional loans for the benefit of the Sri Lankan people. France is proud to have, on a bilateral basis, provided this support to Sri Lanka when it needed it.
The visit of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, to France, in June 2023, and by French President Emmanuel Macron, to Sri Lanka, in July 2023, illustrated the common interests of France and Sri Lanka and their common objectives, in particular those related to the agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals, such as the preservation of the planet and improving social equality.”
In his remarks, Head of AFD Group in Sri Lanka Yazid Bensaïd said: “We are proud to welcome Expertise France, a valuable addition made possible thanks to the support of the European Union Delegation in Sri Lanka. With Expertise France, AFD, and Proparco, France now provides a complete approach to sustainable development through AFD Group.
Looking ahead, our objective is that the presence of all AFD Group entities is an asset for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and the preservation of its territory. We aim indeed to focus on sustainable management and natural resources development, the transition to a low-carbon economy, improving people’s access to essential services, and supporting the private sector’s transition to a greener and more sustainable recovery.”
Additional Director General to the Department of External Resources at the Ministry of Finance, Visakha Amarasekara, along with over 30 officials and representatives from the private sector, also attended the event and AFD Group photo exhibition.
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
