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Lanka gives top priority to sustenance of international maritime services
Representatives of four leading bodies associated with seafaring assignments and maritime services in Lankan seas, Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA), Colombo Logistics, Avant Garde and Rakna Lanka (Pvt) Ltd during a high level meeting co-chaired by Secretary to Ministry of Foreign Relations, Admiral (Retd) Prof Jayanath Colambage and Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID- 19 Outbreak, Chief of Defence Staff & Commander of the Army Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva on Monday (17) explored possibilities of continued sustenance of their maritime services, such as ship crew changes, security for floating ships against pirates, etc adhering to best health practices.
Discussions pointed out that the Sri Lanka Navy while playing an exemplary operational role hand in hand with those maritime organizations enormously helped evacuation of hundreds of ship crew members at sea, some of who remained affected with COVID-19 while on board their commercial vessels. The importance of continuing such practices for commercial purposes was highlighted during the proceedings.
Due to the pandemic, the entire industry faced a huge setback and lost a fair share of their profits. Co-chairs attentively gave ear to their grievances and confronting issues and assured the government’s backing for the initiative. Similarly, co-chairs highlighted the significance of preparing a strategic mechanism through which common concerns of those sear farers could be addressed or resolved and their professions well-guaranteed.
The Navy during the height of the epidemic set a record as the first such service provider in the whole of the South Asian region rendering an exemplary service for crewmen at sea, and facilitated stranded ship crew members in sailing ships to sign off or re-join onboard in the seas off Colombo as directed by respective authorities.
The attendees submitted their views and operational proposals for further discussion, review and decision-making during the cordial meeting.
Maj. Gen. Harendra Ranasinghe, Director General Operations Sri Lanka Army, Rear Admiral Y.N Jayarathna, Director General Operations Sri Lanka Navy, Mr H.S Hettiarachchi, Head of Airport Manager, Dr Samitha Ginige, Consultant Epidemiologist, Dr Roshan Sampath and those representatives of shipping agencies, including Mr Ashan Welagedara, Mr Ralph Anandappa, Mr Shano Sabar, Mr Iqram Cutilian from CASA, Major (Retd) Nishshanka Senadhipathi, Chairman, Commander (Retd) Nandana Diyabalanage, Brigadier (Retd) Nishantha Wadugodapitiya, Maj. Gen. (Retd) Rasika Karunathilake of Avant Garde and Mr Eric Ambarangoda, Maj. Gen.(Retd) Chargi Gallage of Colombo Logistics were associated with the day’s arrangement at the Commander’s office.
Brigadier Haren Peris, Brigadier Hirosha Wanigasekara, Director Supply and Transport, Brigadier Wandhitha Mahinkanda, Director Real Estate and Quartering, Colonel Saveen Semage, Deputy Director, Directorate of Army Preventive Medicine and Mental Health Army Headquarters, Brigadier Vipula Chandrasiri, Brigadier Coordination National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID – 19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) were also at the venue.
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
