News
SL Embassy holds cultural awareness programme in Tehran
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Iran with the support of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, organised an educational and cultural exchange awareness programme at the Chancery premises, in Tehran, on 21 Sept.The Lankan Embassy in Tehran said that around 45 representatives from universities, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, higher education institutes, media and other line agencies in Iran were in attendance. The objective of the programme was to create a platform to share the educational and cultural information and exchange available opportunities in the respective fields between Sri Lanka and Iran.
Delivering the opening remarks, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Iran, G.M.V. Vishwanath Aponsu welcomed the distinguished participants and appreciated their interest to join hands with the Embassy in strengthening the educational and cultural relations between Sri Lanka and Iran. While highlighting the available opportunities in the fields of education and culture in Sri Lanka, the Ambassador emphasized the need for more awareness programmes among the students, scholars, academics and non-academics of the two countries.
Deputy Registrar Commander H.B.H. Deeshana delivered a virtual presentation giving an overview of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University including degree programmes, eligibility criteria, application procedure, course duration, enlistment of foreign students and officer cadets and other relevant details. He stated that under the academic exchange programme of the University, foreign students have the opportunity to apply for scholarships in degree programmes apart from payable courses.
Vice Dean of International Affairs of the Tehran University Prof. Roodabeh Bahramsoltani made a comprehensive presentation on “School of Persian Medicine” underlining the opportunities and prospects available for foreign students in medicine and pharmaceutical sectors in recognized Universities in Iran. Further, she emphasized the need to continue awareness programmes to build networks and partnerships in order to expand higher educational sector cooperation between Iran and Sri Lanka.
Representing academia, several Iranian scholars stated that they will share the information of the available degree programmes of the Defence University among the universities, high schools and other higher education institutes in Iran enabling interested students to follow suitable degree programmes in Sri Lanka. In response, the Sri Lankan envoy appreciated their genuine interest and looked forward to their continued cooperation.
Further, he stated that the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tehran is always ready to facilitate students who wish to enroll in their preferred degree programmes in higher education institutions in both Sri Lanka and Iran. Expert of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran Mohomad Deldari thanked the Ambassador and the staff for organizing the programme and assured the fullest support of the Government of Iran.Dr. Zameer Careem, a scholar of the University of Colombo was the guest speaker of the awareness programme who focused on “Sri Lanka-Iran Relations” and covered all areas of cooperation in historical perspective.
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
