News
Over 80%of Lankan families eating less or cheap food
Economic crisis:
More than 80 percent of Lankan families are eating less, or cheap food, owing to the prevailing crisis, says a report published by the World Food Programme on Lanka.
The report said more than 80 percent of Lankan families are eating cheap or limited food, and this has raised the risk of malnutrition.
“Based on a joint WFP and Department of National Planning rapid assessment, more than 80 per- cent of households are eating less preferred, cheaper food and/or limiting portion sizes, due to the rising prices, and reduced purchasing power. Households are consuming less diversified and nutritious diets, which fuels the risk of higher rates of malnutrition,” the report says.
It says reduced paddy harvests, from two consecutive seasons, will increase food insecurity.
The study points out that the price of imported rice has risen by 20 percent, due to the currency depreciation, and the cost of local rice varieties have increased by six percent due to the supply shortage and high cost of production.
This report, released on June 08, contains an analysis of food prices and commodity prices, in Sri Lanka, in April 2022,
including price trends, inflation and key issues, within the current economic context.
It says: Continuation of escalating fuel prices and fuel shortages is anticipated with an impact across sectors, including food systems.
Poor performance of the ongoing Yala paddy cultivation is expected, impacted by fuel shortages and limited availability to fertilisers and pesticides. Reduced paddy yield, from two consecutive seasons, will likely drive an increase in household food insecurity.
Despite reaching record highs in April, there is likelihood of increasing inflation in the coming month as fuel prices continue to rise.
Overall inflation in April increased to 33.8%, up from 21.5% in March.
Food inflation accelerated to 45.1% in April year-on-year, up by +10.5% from March. This was driven by increased prices of rice, dhal, sugar and milk powder. Non-food inflation increased to 23.9% from 14.5% in March.
The Global Food Price Index demonstrates a small downward trend. April’s decline in the FFPI was driven by a considerable decline in the vegetable oil sub-index and a modest decline in the cereal price sub-index.
The price of imported rice has risen by 20% due to the currency depreciation. Cost of local rice varieties have increased by 6% due to the supply shortage and high cost of production.
The price of red lentils rose to a record high, +10% compared to last month and up by +170% from the same time last year.
The report has been prepared by the Research, Assessment and Monitoring unit of the World Food Programme, Sri Lanka. The analysis is based on data from various information source, including the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute, Department of Census and Statistics, and FAO.
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
