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Pathfinder Foundation and USI of India MoU on strategic cooperation and collaboration

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The Pathfinder Foundation extended its Memorandum of Understanding with the United Service Institution of India (USI), New Delhi, with a virtual signing recently. Bernard Goonetilleke, Chairman, Pathfinder Foundation and Maj. Gen. B K Sharma, AVSM, SM & Bar (Retd.), Director, United Service Institution of India, placed their signatures on the MoU. The event was also attended by Dr Dayaratna Silva, Executive Director of Pathfinder Foundation and Maj. Gen. R P S Bhaduria, VSM (Retd.), Head CS3 of USI.

The MOU is expected to strengthen existing relations between the two organizations through closer cooperation in research, contribute to policy development processes in their respective countries, and develop and foster research cooperation among South Asian countries on humanitarian, economic and security related issues. It is also expected to support policy development at both the bilateral and international levels. The MOU is also intended to engender and foster conditions for maintaining regular interaction and cooperation between the two organizations. The MOU will provide a basis and framework for cooperation in the fields of research and promote the exchange of ideas and views between Indian and Sri Lankan researchers and practitioners in the fields of international security, international relations, diplomacy, defence, military affairs, peacebuilding and conflict studies, disruptive technologies, WMD, UNPKO, South Asia, Indo-Pacific, maritime security and maritime heritage, among other areas.

The USI of India is India’s oldest and premium tri-service think tank founded in 1870 by Colonel (later Major General) Sir Charles MacGregor for ‘Furtherance of knowledge in the art, science and literature of the National Security in general and of the Defence Services in particular’. Today USI has about 15,000 members, comprising security forces officers, diplomats, bureaucrats, academics and scholars. USI has niche expertise in national security, geopolitics, International Relations, Military Diplomacy, Military Heritage, UN Peacekeeping operations, professional skill developments of policymakers and Revolution in Military Affairs. The USI conducts many events at the national and international level, exchanges delegations with partner research institutions, publish seminal literature and runs the institution’s website, blog page and social media platforms. It is the lead agency in grooming policymakers for shouldering higher responsibilities. The institution regularly conducts programmes for the National Defence College, War Colleges, IAS Academy, Foreign Service Institute, National Policy Academy and Universities. Besides, it supports the Indian diplomatic mission abroad in conducting various events.

Pathfinder Foundation and United Service Institution first signed an MOU in 2016, by which both institutions established a working relationship for cooperation.  The latest MOU will take the relationship between the two institutions for another five years and will provide opportunities for ex-service personnel, academics, diplomats etc. to take part in joint activities carried out by the two institutions.



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US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development

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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.”

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Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees

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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.

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CIPM successfully concludes 8th Annual Symposium

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Left to right, Prof. Arosha Adikaram - Chairperson of the Symposium, UAC Obeyesekere – Chief Executive Officer, CIPM Sri Lanka, Guest of Honor - Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer, MAS Holdings PVT Ltd., Sri Lanka, Ken Vijayakumar, President, CIPM Sri Lanka, Priyantha Ranasinghe,Vice President, CIPM Sri Lanka, Col. Saman Jayawickrama (Retd) – Secretary, CIPM Sri Lanka, Dr Dilanjalee Weerathunga – Co Chairperson of the Symposium

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.

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