News
Govt. won’t reverse decision to re-open schools on Jan 11 – GL
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Education Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (28) said that the government was going ahead with plans to re-open schools on January 11 in areas not isolated due to the rampaging Covid-19 pandemic.
Addressing the media at the Waters Edge, Battaramulla, Prof. Peiris, flanked by SLPP National List MPs, Sagara Kariyawasam and Charitha Herath emphasized schools couldn’t be kept closed indefinitely though the pandemic posed a quite a threat.
Prof. Peiris, who is also the Chairman of the ruling SLPP said that the decision to re-open schools wasn’t political. The veteran law academic turned politician said that the government in spite of difficulties was making every effort to gradually restore normalcy.
The Education Ministry in consultation with health authorities took the
decision as the government couldn’t allow the epidemic to disrupt countrywide schools, he said.
Based on representations received from various interested parties, Prof. Peiris said that the vast majority of parents wanted schools to re-open. Therefore, the government felt the need to go ahead with planned re-opening of schools.
Minister Peiris said that Central Province Governor Lalith U. Gamage recently accommodated some students studying in schools situated in areas isolated due to the corona epidemic at the Manikdiwela Madya Maha Vidyalaya.
The renowned academic here and abroad, while appreciating the Governor’s move said that the ministry, too, could explore the possibility of adopting the same approach in other affected areas.
Prof. Peiris said that he along with Education Secretary Prof. Kapila Perera held consultations with medical experts over the last weekend as regards schools re-opening. One-time External Affairs Minister however said that the government wouldn’t be hasty in its decisions not only in respect of education but other sectors as well. But, the government wouldn’t hesitate to take decisions for the wider wellbeing of the population, the minister said, assuring the student population of a cohesive plan to resume schooling.
The minister said that the government was ready to make modifications, if necessary, in case shortcomings were brought to the notice of the Education Ministry.
Assuring that the public would be informed of the schools reopening plan within the next couple of days, Prof. Peiris said altogether the government allocated Rs 105 mn to provide disinfectants and other required items to schools.
The minister also appreciated the support provided by UNICEF and the WHO for the reopening plan. The international community provided equipment required to test temperature in addition to other items, he said.
Acknowledging that the vast majority of schools were under Provincial Councils, Prof. Peiris said that the Governors had a critically important role to play in the absence of the Provincial Councils.
Prof. Peiris assured parents that everything possible would be done to protect the student community. Contrary to criticism, schools re-opening plan was feasible and could be implemented with the support of all stakeholders.
He also pointed out how the government conducted Year 5 Scholarship examination and the GCE Advanced Level examination in Nov-Dec though many expressed doubts about the Education Ministry’s efforts. The ministry with the support of the health and security authorities made arrangements even for several hundred Covid-19 affected students to sit for the GCE AL examination, the minister said.
The minister urged parents and authorities of respective schools to meet during the January 4-11 period to make the required arrangements.
Underscoring the importance of reopening primary sections of schools, Prof. Peiris said that the student population could be divided into two and one allowed to attend classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and the rest on Tuesday and Thursday.
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
