News
Lab technologists urge govt. not to try short cuts with Omicron variant
By Rathindra Kuruwita
College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) President Ravi Kumudesh yesterday accused the Health Ministry of trying to mislead the public as regards the Omicron case detected in Sri Lanka.
The Ministry claimed that they had detected the variant in a traveller from South Africa. However the passenger actually came from Nigeria, a country that was not in the banned list of countries, Kumudesh told The Island.
“We have laid a red carpet for Omicron to come here. We have with the help of a PCR test conducted on inbound passengers detected Omicron in a 25-year-old Sri Lankan woman who has returned from Nigeria. She is a resident of Marawila and she doesn’t have any noticeable symptoms. A rapid antigen test conducted yesterday found her negative for COVID-19,” he said.
Kumudesh said that most passengers entering the country were not tested. Thus, any COVID variant could enter the country without detection, he said.
“If anything, this detection proves the importance of on arrival PCR testing. We have sent a letter to the President asking him to test everyone who arrives here from overseas,” he said.
The CMLS President said that the Health Ministry was opposed to testing travellers because they think President Rajapaksa was opposed to testing due to its possible impact on tourism. Kumudesh said that they could conduct a rapid test that caused little inconvenience to travellers.
“We can furnish a report in two hours. The Ministry wants to reduce PCR testing and carryout more rapid antigen testing. However, the rapid antigen test on the person with Omicron came out negative. This is a good example that demonstrates the folly of the Health Ministry policy,” Kumudesh said.
Kumudesh added that the short sighted directives of some senior health officers had ensured that even samples of passengers assumed to have COVID-19 were not sent for gene sequencing.
“There are Health Ministry officials who claim there is nothing to be done about Omicron. If we follow this policy, we will have to go for a lockdown. We must get rid of health officers who are violating the basic tenets of pandemic control. The government must appoint capable persons. There is no point in blaming people in a few weeks later without doing what has to be done today,” he said.
Kumudesh added that government should not only carry out PCR tests on passengers but also test those who entered the country during the past few days. The government should also instruct the Health Ministry to carry out random tests across the country to determine the status of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka, he added.
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
