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Security forces should be equipped with technological knowledge – President
Sri Lanka’s security forces should be equipped with technological knowledge needed to tackled the threats of the 21st century, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Thursday evening, addressing the General Sir John Kotalawala Defence University Colours Ceremony. President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasised that in the future, war might occur, not only on land, air and sea, but also in cyberspace. He added that our military should be equipped with the necessary knowledge to face such technological warfare.
President Wickremesinghe said discipline, training and knowledge are needed to create a successful army. He added that Sir John Kotalawala Defence University is already fulfilling all these requirements. The President made these comments during a ceremony to present Presidential Colours and University Colours to the General Sir John Kotalawala Defense University.
“Today, Sir John Kotalawala Defence University has gained great fame, at home and abroad. Your potential, as a defence university, has been proved. This university holds significant importance. If an army is led by its commander, that army depends on his leadership. And that army needs discipline. An army cannot advance without discipline. An army can advance only with proper discipline. However, an army cannot be led by discipline alone. Training is required, along with discipline. An army is not successful just because it has discipline and training. That army must have knowledge. It must have military knowledge and local knowledge. Success comes with that knowledge. The leaders here are given discipline, training and knowledge. From there, the army gives leadership to its own battalions and other divisions. Some become military commanders. Others go and work in different sectors, equipped with this degree”.
“At the time some questioned as to why we need such a university as there was no war. However, a few years later, we had to face a war. Hence, this university has developed from the start, thanks to Sir John Kotalawala who donated this premises and to General Derrick Perera the founder member of this university. This university has gained local and international acclaim. Many of the valiant servicemen were products of the KDU. Therefore, we must protect this university. I also urge you to produce more capable officers to our security forces from this university.”
The President said that such universities are needed for a country, adding that at the time the KDU was established there weren’t many defence universities around the world.
“I have looked into the subjects that are taught at this university and they are very good subjects. There are also many excellent lecturers at this university. This is a hidden university. Many people do not know the value of this. But this university is not restricted only to the forces. Civilian students are recruited here. That is very good. Many have been given the opportunity to further their education. Therefore, I do not agree with the criticisms made about this university.” The President also noted that the KDU is not the only university that caters to the development of military officers. “Not only this university, but also a Staff College has been established to provide training to military officers. All these institutions are necessary for our defence education. We must protect all these institutions. The world is changing and in the future we won’t see the sort of war that we have experienced in the past. New technology, new knowledge is developing. Especially the war is not limited to land, air and sea. Cyber technology is also developing. Also, climate change should be taken into consideration when you engage in your duties. This knowledge is what you need. So I wish all of you, who are receiving these colours today, the very best,” President Wickremesinghe said.
Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha, Chief of Staff to the President and Senior Advisor to the President on National Security Sagala Ratnayake, Secretary of Defence General Kamal Gunaratne (retired), Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, tri forces commanders, Inspector General of Police, and Chairman of the University Grants Commission Prof. Sampath Amaratunga and special guests, including university Vice Chancellors, attended the event.
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
