News
Indian Navy surveys area around X-Press Pearl: debris identified to enable precautionary measures
INS Sarvekshak has identified 54 types of underwater debris following an 807-mile of survey around the ill-fated MV XPress Pearl, the Indian High Commission says in a statement issued over the weekend.
The following is the text of the IHC statement: “The Hydrographic Survey Ship of Indian Navy, ‘INS Sarvekshak’, entered Colombo after successful completion of surveys in three areas off Colombo. It was welcomed at the terminal by Colombo Commander of Western Naval Area R.Adm. Upul de Silva. INS Sarvekshak was immediately deployed on request of the Government of Sri Lanka on 23 June 2021 to conduct a survey in the vicinity of the ill-fated MV X-Press Pearl. The joint survey operation was coordinated among Indian Navy, Sri Lanka Navy and National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA).
A felicitation ceremony was organized recently to mark the completion of the survey. The chief guest at the ceremony was Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda. During the ceremony, High Commissioner of India Gopal Baglay handed over the survey report to the Minister.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister thanked the Government of India and the Indian Navy in particular for their prompt response and acknowledged India’s vision of Safety and Growth for All In the Region (SAGAR) through this gesture. High Commissioner Baglay highlighted that India and Sri Lanka have cooperated on many occasions for mitigation of maritime disasters. He expressed happiness that as part of Op Sagar Aaraksha 2, he had the opportunity to personally see off the Indian Coast Guard ships and participate in the event to felicitate the survey effort undertaken by INS Sarvekshak. He also expressed pride in India’s assistance in restoring the livelihood of the Sri Lankan fishermen along the western coast.
The ceremony was also attended by. State Minister of Fisheries Kanchana Wijesekara, Mrs. R.M.I. Rathnayaka Secretary of Ministry of Fisheries, Mr. Jayantha Chandrasoma –Secretary of State Ministry of Fisheries, Chairman Sri Lanka Port Control Capt. Nihal Keppetipola and Chairman NARA A. Navaratneraja, amongst other dignitaries from the Department of Fisheries and NARA.
INS Sarvekshak progressed 807 miles of Side Scan Sonar survey utilising integral sensors and two survey boats in adverse weather conditions, which could have otherwise been delayed to post Monsoon in October due to rough seas. The ship’s team worked overnight to process gigabytes of data collected during the day, to meet the timelines. Post the survey, the ship identified 54 underwater debris and also one ship-wreck. The survey data would be invaluable in issuing advisories to the mariners and fishermen which would later assist in the removal of debris by the Salvior to achieve safety of navigation.
The continued assistance to Sri Lanka in the recent maritime incidents has showcased India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy through swift and timely support in mitigating various calamities in the Indian Ocean Region.”
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
