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Muslim Aid donates vital medical equipment worth Rs 30 million
Muslim Aid Sri Lanka has donated a consignment of medical equipment worth Rs. 30 million for the treatment of patients affected by the Covid epidemic.
The consignment was symbolically handed over to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees on Friday (02). Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Minister of Justice Ali Sabry PC; State Minster of Prison Reforms Lohan Ratwatte and Country Director of Muslim Aid Sri Lanka, Faizer Khan; along with other officials of Muslim Aid Sri Lanka participated in the event.
The donation of essential medical equipment included three ICU ventilators (adult and pediatric), Non-Invasive Ventilators (CPAP/BPAP machines), High flow oxygen machines, Multipara Monitors, Pulse Oximeters, and Nebulizers to enhance efficiency of wards and intensive care units.
PPE kits were also donated to frontline healthcare workers and Covid-19 prevention team members who are involved directly in Covid-19 response operations. This project was supported by the AmeriCares – US and Muslim Aid’s Head Quarters -UK.
Muslim Aid’s Country Director briefed the Prime Minister on Muslim Aid’s programmes in Sri Lanka including the emergency response, economic empowerment programmes, education and WATSAN (Water and Sanitation) programmes.
The Prime Minister commended Muslim Aid’s activities in Sri Lanka and requested to continue its services for the betterment of the people.
During the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, Muslim Aid supported thousands of vulnerable and daily wage-earning families through the provision of dry ration packs in a number of districts in the country. Muslim Aid also handed over hygiene packs to the Head of National Operation Centre for Prevention of Covid -19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) and the Commander of Army General Shavendra Silva, to be distributed in selected quarantine centres in the country.
Muslim Aid Sri Lanka, in its efforts to overcome the pandemic situation, continues to engage in Covid-19 aid and relief work to reach the most vulnerable and daily wage-earning families struggling during the lockdown in various parts of the country.
This project was implemented in coordination with the Ministry of Health, National Operations Centre for Prevention of Covid-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) and the Secretariat for NGOs.
The Muslim Aid Sri Lanka programme began in Sri Lanka in 2005 following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami disaster.
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
