News
New SLAAS Chief promises coordinated response to crisis
Newly inducted General President of Sri Lanka Association of the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) Prof. Ranjith Senaratne has acknowledged that their contribution and engagement intended to resolve the current socio-political and economic crisis is far from adequate and it leaves much to be desired.
SLAAS is one of the oldest scientific institutions in Sri Lanka established in 1944 with a present membership of over 11,000.
Prof. Senaratne has proposed the establishment of a consortium of relevant scientific and professional bodies and associations such as National Science Foundation, National Academy of Sciences, IESL, SLMA, Institute of Architects, and Sri Lanka Veterinary Association under the umbrella of the SLAAS. The academic said: “They would form a cohesive and robust professional body able to serve as a guiding force, a lodestar, of the nation in proffering objective advice and guidance to the Government, public sector institutions and industry in matters of national interest. I am hopeful that objective and dispassionate advice and guidance from such a reputable professional body, reinforced and enriched by world-class Sri Lankan expatriates, in an actionable and pragmatic manner would be listened to and reckoned with rather than trifled with.”
Prof. Senaratne has been inducted by the outgoing General President Prof. Manuj C. Weerasinghe at an induction ceremony held on the 12th January at the Ariyana Reach Hotel, Maharagama.
Prof. Narada Warnasuriya, Senior Professor of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and former Vice–Chancellor, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, was the chief guest and Professor Emeritas Ruchira Cumaranatunga, founder Dean, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences & Technology, University of Ruhuna, was the guest of honour on the occasion.
Distinguished scientists, academics and entrepreneurs, including Senior Prof. Chandana Udawatta, Vice Chairman, UGC, Rizvi Zaheed, Chairnan, Agripreneurs’ Forum, past General Presidents of the SLAAS, its past and present council members and SLAAS members were present on the occasion.
Prof. Senaratne is the 82nd General President of the SLAAS.
However, in order for the SLAAS to serve as a pedestal for such a formidable body, its base needs to be strengthened, and its stature and visibility enhanced with a greater international profile. Hence as per the provisions already created, I propose to establish regional chapters of the SLASS in each province so as to strengthen the membership and increase presentations at annual sessions, thereby extending its footprint across the country. Forging partnership with the counterpart S&T institutions in the region, strengthening international cooperation, the establishment of an endowment fund, and promoting start-up ecosystems and PPPs are other plans on the drawing board. In fine, while pursuing the initiatives of the past General Presidents in earnest, we, the Council of 2023, will embark upon novel initiatives, adopt innovative approaches, open more doors, and remove hurdles. These initiatives will facilitate the greater growth and impact of the SLAAS in line with its mission and Rules and Regulations by effectively responding to existential national challenges and issues.
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
