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Parliamentary Caucus for Children stresses need to fill 284 vacancies at NCPA
The Parliamentary Caucus for Children recently stressed the need to fill 284 vacancies in the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA). The inordinate delay in filling these vacancies as well as the need for closer coordination among institutions working on child protection in Sri Lanka received the attention of the parliamentary group.
This was discussed during the meeting of the Parliamentary Caucus for Children held in Parliament recently (08) under the chairmanship of Member of Parliament Rohini Kumari Wijeratne.
This meeting was held to identify the challenges and problems faced by various agencies working in Sri Lanka regarding child protection. The caucus also discussed contacting the relevant parties and finding solutions and working in coordination with the relevant institutions.
Accordingly, the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development under the Ministry of Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment, the Department of Probation and Child Care Services, the National Child Protection Authority and the Police Children’s and Women’s Bureau have presented facts about their activities and existing challenges and problems. Apart from this, information was also presented regarding the activities of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in Sri Lanka.
The officials expressed their views on the shortcomings in the infrastructure including staff vacancies, building requirements, vehicle requirements in the relevant institutions. It was revealed that 284 posts out of 618 posts in the Child Protection Authority are vacant and the forum instructed the Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment to inform the President as the minister in charge and take immediate steps to fill the vacancies.
Providing quality education to children in Sri Lanka, providing adequate health care, making existing resources and officials more efficient, community Based Correction, and matters to be considered in media reporting on child abuse cases were also discussed. Addressing the committee, the chairperson of the caucus Rohini Kumari Wijayaratne said that regarding the ideas and problems presented here, the relevant parties will be called before the caucus and steps will be taken to find solutions.
Meanwhile, it was revealed that a national policy on early childhood education has been prepared. It was also revealed that this has been prepared in a legal framework taking into account the differences and similarities existing in the provinces and nationally.
Furthermore, it was mentioned here that a five-year action plan for child protection (2023 – 2027) has been prepared to implement the national policy on child protection that was finalised in 2019.
The Vice Presidents of the caucus Members of Parliament (Dr.) Sudarshini Fernandopulle and Velu Kumar, Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa,
State Ministers Geeta Kumarasinghe, Diana Gamage, Members of Parliament Talatha Atukorale, Chandima Weerakkodi, J.C. Alavatuwala, Ashok Abeysinghe, Mayantha Dissanayake, Rajika Wickramasinghe, Weerasumana Weerasinghe, Assistant Secretary General of Parliament Tikiri K. Jayathilaka and senior officers of related institutions were present at the occasion.
Also, Minister (Dr.) Wijeyadasa Rajapakse and Mudita Prashanthi attended the meeting with the permission of the Chairperson of the Caucus.
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
