News
Local drug producers welcome creation of State Ministry for pharmaceuticals manufacture
The Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association (SLPMA) has welcomed the creation of a new State Ministry for pharmaceuticals manufacture as a crucial positive step towards the strengthening of the local pharmaceuticals industry.
The Association, in a statement issued soon after the swearing in of the new cabinet and State Ministers, emphasised the importance of its contribution to the nation and local manufacturers to ensure the availability of essential pharmaceuticals and expressed its confidence in the government’s vision for the nation.
SLPMA President Sanjaya Jayaratne, who is also Chairman of Navesta Pharmaceuticals (Pvt.) Ltd., said: “The Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association warmly welcomes the new government headed by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. We look forward to working with Minister of Health, Pavithra Wanniarachchi and State Minister of Pharmaceutical Production, Supply and Regulation Prof. Channa Jayasumana as we work towards a robust local pharmaceuticals industry.”
Prof. Jayasumana was accommodated among the State Ministers as a representative of Viyathmaga, a civil society organization established by Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the onset of his presidential campaign.
Members of the Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association have actively reinvested over Rs. 15 billion over the past five years on capacity building and market expansion, setting up new plants and upgrading current facilities to enhance the manufacture of a wider range of medicines and infrastructure for the Sri Lankan market and for export. Currently holding 15% of the local pharmaceuticals market, the SLPMA aims to help the country by increasing the production of world-class pharmaceuticals locally to provide quality cost-effective medicines to all Sri Lankans. As the official body for local pharmaceutical manufacturers, the SLPMA holds frequent dialogues on matters concerning the development of the industry with key stakeholders.
Further commenting on the new government, Jayaratne said, “As the representative body of local manufacturers of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical products, we warmly welcome the establishment of a State Ministry for Pharmaceuticals by the newly elected government. This highlights the importance the state places on a self-sufficient local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in the country and is an encouragement to the industry. The association will work towards strengthening ties with the government and expanding on our contribution to the national healthcare sector by expanding on the guaranteed buy back agreement for local pharmaceuticals currently in effect. The SLPMA has always stood for quality affordable pharmaceuticals and will support the government secure the highest quality medicines for the most affordable prices.”
The establishment of the first privately owned Pharmaceutical Manufacturing facility in the year 1956 marked the beginning of the Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association (SLPMA). In the six decades since, its membership has grown to fifteen entities including multinational pharmaceutical companies, established local Conglomerates, innovative new ventures and the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC). The Association recently held its 55th Annual General Meeting held recently at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. Sanjaya Jayaratne was elected President at the meeting, while Kalana Hewamallika, Chairman and Managing Director of Gamma Pharmaceuticals (Pvt) Ltd and Interpharm (Pvt) Ltd was elected Vice President of the Association.
The SLPMA is an affiliated trade association coming under the aegis of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and comprises those members who are solely involved in the manufacture and distribution of medicines in Sri Lanka. The SLPMA Secretariat is based at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and can also be reached on (011) 5588836.
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
