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Reputed scientist says Balangoda calcite deposit quality cannot be found anywhere else in the world
By Ifham Nizam
The Balangoda calcite deposit is the best in the world, says Prof. H. M. G. A. Pitawala, Director of Post Graduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya.
Prof. Pitawala’s revelation prompted the Environment Ministry to explore the possibility of producing calcium carbonate as a value addition product using the 2,000 tonnes of waste calcite already excavated at the Balangoda Calcite deposit. In this regard, a discussion was chaired by Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera.
Officials of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, Central Environmental Authority, University of Peradeniya as well as the Ministry of Environment also participated.
Minor excavations at the Balangoda Calcite Deposit are being carried out by various individuals in an informal manner. Therefore, it was emphasised that to properly utilise the calcite deposit, a value added product of calcium carbonate should be produced that can be used in a number of industrial products.
Calcium carbonate was widely used in the manufacture of medicinal pills. It was also used in the building industry including paints, and in the production of animal feed, the Ministry’s research division said.
Plans are underway to set up a factory to manufacture calcium carbonate using this calcite deposit as a joint venture between the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, a state-owned Technical Services Company and the University of Peradeniya. Accordingly, the Minister instructed to expedite the signing of the relevant Memorandum of Understanding.
Prof. Pitawala told officials that it was unfortunate for the nation not to make the best use of the rare natural resource.
He said that no other country in the world had a calcite deposit comparable to the quality of the local deposit. In other countries, calcite deposits were associated with dolomite. Therefore, great effort had to be made to separate the two.
However, dolomite separation is not required as the Balangoda calcite deposit contained only calcite. Therefore, a high-tech process is not required and the professor requested that maximum use be made of the resource now, according to Prof. Pitiwala.
Minister Amaraweera inquired from officials what purpose the calcite in the Balangoda deposit was currently being used for.
They said the calcium carbonate in the world-famous calcite deposit was currently used only in animal feed.
Speaking at the event, Minister Amaraweera said that Sri Lanka had become a mendicant nation in spite of its resources as it did not make the best use of them.
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
