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PSPI emerge victorious in Agriculture Value Added Sector at the NCE Export Awards 2020
Pulses Splitting and Processing Industry Pvt Ltd (PSPI), a leading grains and pulses splitter and processor in Sri Lanka, emerged winner at the recent 28th Annual NCE Export Awards 2020, taking home the Bronze award under the ‘Extra-Large Category’ for Agriculture Value Added Sector.
Conducted by the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE), the awards ceremony was held at Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo, recently under the theme ‘Resilient Exporters’, to recognize and celebrate some of the best exporters in the country who have successfully endured and managed their businesses during the global pandemic.
PSPI has grown to be one of the largest exporters and the only BOI-approved company in the pulses industry in Sri Lanka. It has ambitious plans to make its mark in the whole Asian region. The products are manufactured in its state-of-the-art factory, spanning over 163,000 square foot and equipped with nine production lines with a daily production capacity of over 400 MT.
Commenting on the achievement, Muddassir Mahmud, Director, Pulses Splitting and Processing Industry Private Limited, said: “We take great pride in being recognized as one of the biggest exporters in the pulses industry. This award is a tribute to all of our people for their tireless efforts and their well-commendable attitude to be resilient and optimistic”.
“We are ambitious to take PSPI to greater heights to be one of the most preferred grains and pulses splitter and processor in Asia”, he added.
The company’s Sapugaskanda-based factory is equipped with cutting-edge technology such as advanced CCD digital cameras, fully automatic color sorter machines, ‘Starlinger Technology’ packaging machinery amongst others in line with international standards.
PSPI also recently expanded to supply consumer packaging, adding three new FFS machines to supply customers with private-label packaging ranging between 500g to 5kg. Specializing in splitting and processing operations in whole red lentils, PSPI has its own brands of red split lentils. Its brands ‘Trophy’ as well as ‘Leaf’ continue to be one of the most preferred choices in the domestic market.
PSPI imports raw materials from Australia, Canada and Myanmar. Its factory has eleven in-built silos, and all its raw materials and finished products are stored and preserved under stringent hygienic conditions.
Since its inception in 2007, PSPI has earned a distinctive reputation for its world-class splitting and processing operations, with the widest range of grains and pulses variety in Sri Lanka. PSPI is no stranger to the awards, having being named a winner at the NCE Export Awards in 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017.
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US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
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
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
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.