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Sri Lanka expatriates reach US Congress for military mobile medical units
The Sri Lankan expatriates in the United States, with their intense lobbying, have succeeded in getting the attention of prominent American Congressmen to the serious Covid virus situation in Sri Lanka to inform the U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken of the importance of installing temporary mobile medical units in critical districts in Sri Lanka.
The expatriates were well aware that the Biden administration in which secretary of state position holds a prominent Cabinet status could negotiate with the Secretary of Defense to get the US Pacific Command (USINPACCOM) to install these temporary mobile medical units to alleviate the situation to which the four US Congressmen in their direct communication to the secretary of state has seriously emphasised.
The socio-politically active Sri Lankan expatriates in the State of Nevada had been in close contact with these congressmen for a very long time to have direct dialogue about Sri Lankan situation and the necessity of getting the Biden administration to extend its helping hand toward Sri Lanka.
One of the signatories to the letter Congresswoman Dina Titus sits on the South Asia sub-committee of the House Foreign Relations Committee under whose purview foreign assistance program, terrorism and the promotion of U.S. trade exports come. She is also the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Sri Lanka. Congressman Frank Pollone, the other signatory was the founder of the Congressional Caucus on Sri Lanka. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, of Indian descent, maintains close rapport with Sri Lankan expatriates who willingly became a signatory to the appeal letter. The fourth signatory was Congressman Henry C. Johnson who belongs to the Black Caucus.
The constant rapport, discourses, engagement and frequent contact with the American lawmakers who now have working relations with the Biden-Harris administration, the Departments of State, Defense and Homeland Security became effectively possible due to the decades-long rapport by State of Nevada Democratic political activist Sanje Sedera who was responsible in mobilizing the Sri Lankan expatriates in the states of Nevada and California. His public affairs and public diplomacy skills brought dividends in mobilizing U.S. Congressmen to reach the US Department of State’s highest-ranking official, the Secretary.
This outreach to the American administration’s policymakers and congressional lawmakers – having had face-to-face dialogue initiated by Mr. Sedera and the group of Sri Lanka expatriates – succeeded in the increase of Covid virus vaccines donation to Sri Lanka last month. In May, these Nevada Sri Lankan expatriates launched a fund-raiser – which brought US$35,000 – to purchase medical equipment for Sri Lanka, a task executed by the North American Medical Association. In July, a group of Sri Lanka expatriates – associated with the Sri Lanka America Association of Las Vegas – launched a Sri Lanka America Chamber of Commerce under Mr. Sedera’s chairmanship to initiate trade and investment between the two nations, having Las Vegas the premier international convention center in mind.
Expert knowledge, connections and public affairs-diplomacy expertise that are found within the Sri Lankan community in the State of Nevada were put into full use in undertaking to make U.S. Congressmen aware of misinformation unleashed by pro-separatist elements within a section of the Sri Lankan Diaspora following the introduction of the May 18, 2021 US House Resolution 413 which disseminated false data and information about Sri Lanka. The expatriates undertook the task to lobby many US Congressmen – face-to-face and through several zoom meetings – in collaboration with the Sri Lanka’s diplomatic mission in Washington and the Consulate in Los Angeles with the sole objective of changing their mind-set infected by the false propaganda and misrepresentation about Sri Lanka. The final result of that endeavor was that the Resolution failed to enter the US House Foreign Affairs Committee.
The immediate task of the Sri Lankan expatriates is to get the good offices of the Departments of State and Defense to set up temporary mobile health units in vulnerable districts in Sri Lanka to combat the spread of the virus. The closest such assistance is available with the US Pacific Command.
The urgency of the situation was well depicted in the letter addressed to the US Secretary of State by the four leading Congressmen: “We request that the State Department rapidly increase medical assistance to Sri Lanka by specifically providing temporary mobile medical units in critical districts around the country to assist the health authorities in addressing the serious situation. In the past, the United States has provided critical assistance to Sri Lanka when the nation faced emergency situations and now during this critical hour, we must again take the lead to provide support in setting up vital medical units for a trusted and strategic partner”.
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
