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Norwegian Shipowners’ Assoc. evinces interest in entering into agreement with Sri Lanka
“Ambassador, Godfrey Cooray (left) with Harald Solberg (Pic courtesy Sri Lanka embassy in Oslo)
Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Shipowners’ Association Harald Solberg has expressed interest in entering into an agreement with Sri Lanka in the area of ship crew operations. Norway already has agreements with Asian countries, including the Philippines in the field, the Sri Lankan embassy in Oslo said in a statement issued recently.
The following is the text of statement issued by the Lankan embassy in Norway: “Ambassador, Godfrey Cooray had a meeting with the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association on the 10.08.2020. The Second Secretary Ms. Samanmali Atalugama and Business Development Officer Ms. Rosie Jones attended the meeting. This meeting was held at the Chamber of the Shipowners Association.
Harald Solberg, Chief Executive Officer, and Ms. Helene Tofte, Director, International Cooperation and Climate have represented the Norwegian Ship Owners’ Association.
Harald Solberg had given a brief introduction on the Ship Owners’ Association and stated that it is a trade and employment organization for Norwegian controlled companies within the shipping and offshore industry established in 1909. The primary fields are national and international industry policies, employer issues, competence and recruitment, environmental issues and innovation in addition to safety at sea.
Cooray has highlighted that Sri Lanka has a huge potential on the Ship and Boat Industry. Further he conveyed that there are many people and Private sector companies who can afford maintaining Ships in Sri Lanka as “ABC Shipping, Ceyline Group, COSCO Shipping Line Lanka, Sri Lanka Shipping Company, Sea Horse Shipping, etc.
Ambassador also stated that the trade is the engine of economic growth for any country. Therefore, countries around the world strive to improve cross border efficiencies and enable international trade to happen immaculately. The Government of Sri Lanka identified the need to reform its trade policies and practices to support a business-friendly environment, promote private sector growth and use the strategic position of Sri Lanka with the new concept of “Saubhagye Dakma” of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Cooray had emphasized the potential of Sri Lankan Shipping companies to involve in crew operations, supplying fuel, and other logistics during trans shipments.
He also stated that Sri Lanka encourages the international maritime organizations to get the advantage of the strategic location of international airports. Further, Sri Lanka was able to come to the aid of the international shipping community by being a safe location for facilitating the change of ships’ crew, which is critical for the safe operation of ships.
Harald Solberg expressed the interest of entering into an agreement in the area of crew operations of ships. Norway already has agreements with Asian countries as Philippines in this field.
Further Solberg explained that Norwegian shipowners, offshore enterprises and supplier companies are well positioned to take a larger role in the renewables market, including offshore wind and Battery Power.”
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
