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Otara Launches “Who We Are” promoting Sri Lankan entrepreneurs and small businesses
Otara Gunewardene has launched the online platform, www.whoweare.lk, that shares the products of local creators from around our beautiful island and promotes Sri Lankan ingenuity across the globe! It is yet another brand by the accomplished businesswoman, a pioneer in the fields of fashion and retail in Sri Lanka, and one of the most well-known entrepreneurs in the country. Promoting Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan made has been her passion for the last 25 plus years – and her mission this time is to showcase the creativity and talent of creators of small businesses, enabling their products to be available to a larger and more diverse audience.
As well as supporting local communities, ‘Who We Are’ is committed to championing a conscious lifestyle, meaning all items are ethically sourced, cruelty free and sustainable. There is a stunning and diverse range in the collection – from jewellery and gifts, to fashion and home wares, as well as food, beauty and wellness. Conscious consumerism is at the forefront of this venture, along with the pledge to support creators and their communities through fair and just pricing.
In recent times our island has seen a large increase in imports, resulting in locally crafted goods taking a back seat and losing visibility. As ancient Sri Lankan traditions and crafts are pushed to the brink of extinction and family businesses close, generations of valuable knowledge, technique and heritage are lost. A timely needed initiative, and much ‘Who We Are’ provides an opportunity for craftspeople and artisans from all corners of Sri Lanka to market their products more widely, and to elevate their businesses in the process. Not only will this support the growth of our country’s economy, but Sri Lankan talent will be more accessible both locally and globally!
‘Who We Are’ challenges us all to rethink our lifestyles and consumer habits, and to develop a mind-set as a ‘conscious consumer’. It challenges us to make purchasing decisions that have a positive social, environmental, and economic impact – without compromising on style, quality and comfort.
‘Who We Are’ is a true celebration of culture and heritage, and it beautifully captures Sri Lankan kindness and compassion – because that is Who We Are.
More creators and products will be added daily to the online market.
“I see a future where we contribute in more sustainable and ethical ways to our communities, where people live meaningful lives and where we have a greater connection to nature.’ Says Otara Gunewardene
‘Who We Are’ promotes a conscious lifestyle, the Sri Lankan way! Not too much, not too little – just the right amount of local, eco-friendly, sustainable, ethical, stylish, healthy and happy!
“Who We Are” is available on whoweare.lk and @whoweareSL on Facebook and Instagram.
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
