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Japan to support building a health center in Ampara tribal village
The Government of Japan has provided a total sum of US$ 89,168 (approx. Rs. 17.7 million) to Child Rehabilitation Centre for “The Project for Construction of an Out Patients Dispensary for Minor Ethnic Community in Ampara District”, the Japanese Embassy in Colombo said last week.
The grant contract was signed on Monday between Ambassador MIZUKOSHI Hideaki Mr. Chamila Kodagoda, Chairman of Child Rehabilitation Centre.
“The purpose of this project is to build a primary health center in Ampara and furnish the center with medical equipment to provide health services for people residing in Aligambai isolated village and other surrounding villages,” the release said.
“Currently there is no facility for primary health care in those villages, and the villagers are obliged to travel long distances to the nearest government hospital. The new health center will enable the villagers to have easier access to proper health care services and thus contribute to improving the health and hygiene environment of the concerned area.”
The Government of Japan, through the scheme of “Grant Assistance for Grassroots and Human Security Projects (GGP)”, has supported 307 projects, for which more than US$ 53.8 million has been allocated since 1989. The year 2022 marks the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Sri Lanka, and the current project shall also be extended as part of the commemorable programme that Japan and Sri Lanka are jointly celebrating island-wide, the release added.
Commenting on the provision of this grant Mr. Kodagoda stated:
“I have no words to express my sincerest thanks to you on behalf of the Child Rehabilitation Centre for your commendable donation of a Health Centre. Your help in this regard is truly appreciated. You won’t believe that this donation (project) will bring a considerable change in the lives of tribal people in Aligambai tribal village who are struggling for their lives as well as who have been excluded from the mainstream of the society due to their lower social status.
“Through this very valuable donation from the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka, we would not only be providing them with the best of medical facilities but also making access to basic human rights for them and giving them complete social protection free of charge to fight against the deadly diseases. If we were successful in saving the lives of these people, it would especially be a great achievement for both the Embassy of Japan and the Child Rehabilitation Centre.
At a time when all the Governments who ruled the country had ignored the Tribal people in Aligambai Village, your contribution has given us a ray of hope towards our mission. I am sure the beneficiaries will be happier to receive this gift from the Health Centre. For them, your help is a great asset.
I once again would like to express my heartiest gratitude on behalf of CRC Sri Lanka towards you for such a great help.”
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
