News
Row over Ukranian tourists deepens as visiting English cricketer also tests corona positive
British Airways flight allowed in regardless of ban
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga yesterday (4) intervened in a simmering dispute over those handling high profile Ukrainian tourists ignoring the health regulations in place to prevent possible community transmission of COVID-19.
Soon after the arrival of two groups of Ukrainians, on Dec 28 and 29, 2020, three of those visitors tested Covid-19 positive. Yesterday, a member of the visiting England cricket team Moeen Ali was found to be Covid-19 positive.
Minister Ranatunga stepped in after Sri Lanka Tourism (SLT) Chairperson Kimarli Fernando alleged that neither the promoter of the Ukrainian project, former Sri Lanka Ambassador to Moscow Udayanga Weeratunga, nor the travel agents concerned, had provided the required information.
In a letter dated January 2 addressed to Minister Ranatunga, copied to Commander of the Army General Shavendra Silva, who heads the Covid-19 Task Force, Nimesh Herath, member, Tourism Advisory Committee, Dr. Hemantha Herath, Ministry of Health and Ms Dhammika Wijayasinghe, Kimarli Fernando said that SLT had been informed that the project promoter worked with the Presidential Task Force.
Fernando raised questions about the Ukrainians going on excursions to Mirissa for whale watching and Yala safari without following proper procedures. The SLT Chief warned of dire consequences unless necessary protocols were followed.
Amidst growing concern over further deterioration of the Covid-19 situation, Minister Ranatunga instructed the relevant officials to prevent a recurrence of the situation similar to that of Ukrainians visiting Yala. Among those present at the discussion were Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa and State Aviation Minister D.V. Chanaka. The Minister emphasised the pivotal importance of following health guidelines in place in support of the ongoing pilot project ahead of the opening of Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) later this month.
The government has announced those arriving in the country could visit Dalada Maligawa, Yala, Minneriya National Park, Sigiriya, Dambulla temple, Uda Walawa, Horton Plains, Sinharaja forest, Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Pinnawela elephant orphanage, Salu Sala and places where they could engage in whale watching.
Before the commencement of the Ukranian project, under the leadership of the Tourism Ministry, relevant bodies reached agreement on tour organisers providing, well in advance, detailed itineraries, including drivers and guides to arrange proper screening and quarantine purposes.
A member of the visiting English cricket team all-rounder Moeen Ali tested Covid-19 positive immediately after arriving at the Mattala airport on Sunday, January 3. All members of the English team were subjected to PCR testing. Authoritative sources said that in addition to Ali, who was placed under quarantine for 10 days, another Englishman, Chris Woakes, identified as a close contact, too, had been quarantined and expected to undergo PCR test along with other members today (5).
The two countries went ahead with the two test match series despite the UK struggling to cope up with the rapid spread of a new virulent variant of Covid-19 virus that compelled the UK to impose tougher restrictions.
Sri Lanka suspended flights from the UK though the English team was allowed in. They arrived in British Airways flight to resume a tour which was cancelled at the onset of the first Covid-19 wave.
The first Test is scheduled to start on January 14.
Meanwhile, Samagi Jana Balavegaya MP Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday (4) flayed the government over the Ukranian tourism project. The former minister alleged that the government had risked a major disaster by allowing Ukranian tourists, particularly at a time the Europe was struggling to cope up with a new variant of Covid-19 virus.
Ranawaka questioned the SLPP government’s strategy in trying to boost tourism by bringing in people from Ukraine, a country in a far worse situation than Sri Lanka. The former yahapalana heavyweight said that visitors from Europe could open Sri Lanka to grave danger due to the new Covid-19 variant. The MP pointed out that the government was on record as having said that the second Covid-19 wave had been caused by a Ukranian.
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
