News
Seventh Anniversary of 1990 Suwa Seriya: A Milestone in Sri Lanka’s Public Service
Dr. Harsha de Silva, the pioneer of 1990 Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service, was elated to commemorate the seventh anniversary on the public service project on Friday (28). This momentous occasion celebrates the unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of the people of Sri Lanka and reaffirms the dedication to providing unparalleled support to maintain this indispensable service, regardless of any challenges that may arise, he said in a news release.
In its seven years of operation, 1990 Suwa Seriya has emerged as the most efficient public service in Sri Lanka, achieving remarkable milestones. With a staggering 6,609,357 calls answered and 1,581,554 emergencies attended, the service has proven to be a lifeline for countless individuals in critical situations.
Dr. de Silva recalled the early days of the service, acknowledging the strong opposition from trade unions and the financial struggles faced during the economic crisis. He expressed heartfelt gratitude for the invaluable support received from the private sector, which played a pivotal role in keeping the service operational. Today, 1990 Suwa Seriya stands tall as the savior of the nation, a testament to the enduring spirit of unity and collaboration.
The success of 1990 Suwa Seriya would not have been possible without the unwavering support of various individuals and entities. Dr. de Silva extended his appreciation to everyone involved, including then Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe, whose support was instrumental in establishing the service. He also acknowledged the dedicated Directors, particularly the Chairman of Suwa Seriya Foundation, Dumindra Ratnayake, and the tireless staff who work day and night to ensure the service’s seamless functioning.
Since its inception on July 28, 2016, 1990 Suwa Seriya has attended to approximately 15,000,000 patients, setting an exceptional standard in emergency response times. Responding to calls within an astounding eight minutes and 45 seconds in Colombo and 14 minutes and 29 seconds outside Colombo. The service has earned a reputation for its exceptional efficiency.
Dr. Harsha de Silva reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining and enhancing the 1990 Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service for the greater good of the nation, emphasizing the critical importance of its continued existence as an indispensable lifeline for the people of Sri Lanka.
He also expressed profound gratitude for India’s invaluable support in kickstarting this initiative, especially acknowledging the unwavering backing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who heeded his call and has remained ever-supportive throughout the journey.
On this joyous occasion, Dr. de Silva extended his heartfelt regards to all the board members and 1,500 dedicated staff, acknowledging their dedication and perseverance in ensuring the success of this vital service.
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
