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Sri Lanka Magic Circle to celebrate its centenary in 2022
The Sri Lanka Magic Circle has rendered a great service over the years by nurturing magicians and improving their skills by conducting training workshops and magic contests, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said in a congratulatory message to mark its centenary celebrations on February 18, 2022.
“Magic, as a performing art, provides young kids with entertaining and interactive ways to learn a range of skills such as public speaking, multi-tasking, precision and adaptability”, the premier said.
As one of the oldest preforming art organizations in Sri Lanka, the centenary will mark a remarkable milestone for the organization, he noted.
Under the leadership of the late Mr Gate Mudaliyar ACGS Amarasekara, the Association of Ceylon Magicians (A.C.M.) was inaugurated on February 18, 1922. Since then, the A.C.M (renamed in 1953 as the Sri Lanka Magic Circle) has come a long way in promoting magic as an art and a hobby in Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister noted.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Sri Lanka Magic Circle on this significant milestone and I wish its current members the courage to inspire young magicians in the years to come”, he added.
The Sri Lanka Magic Circle said it has been recognized as a National Cultural Arts Society by the government.
It referred to the congratulatory message of Prime Minister and Minister of Cultural Affairs, Mahinda Rajapaksa, the patron of the Magic Circle, where he highly appreciated and complimented the efforts of the Sri Lanka Magic Circle, in developing the performing art of magic over the years, and rightly referred to it truly as “one of the oldest cultural performing arts in Sri Lanka”.
The Sri Lanka Magic Circle is gearing itself to celebrate its 100th anniversary on February 18, 2022 with a series of events continuing throughout the centenary year with a “Gala Dazzling Fiesta of Magic’’ with its magicians, including youngsters, amateurs and professional magicians, along with the famous guest artiste “Mr. COOL”, the Swiss magician Hoerbi Kull, a maestro in the field.
A blood donation campaign and a free Eye Clinic for the needy will also be conducted together with a series of free charity magic shows at Homes for Orphans and Children, Elders, Deaf and Dumb, Differently-abled and at Rehabilitation Centres.
While hoping for a Covid-free period in 2022, a three-day Magic Convention has also been planned with local magicians and those joining from the SAARC region. This will give an impetus to boost inter-regional cultural activities and tourism, the Magic Circle said.
The Sri Lanka Magic Circle, website is www.srilankamagic.org and the official building, which was given by the government in the Kalapura zone in 2002, is situated at ‘Vishmithapaya’, 156, Templar’s Road, Mt. Lavinia,
Children and adults interested in joining the exclusive and privileged Sri Lanka Magic Circle and enjoy the special centenary facilities offered by it, may contact Lt. Col. (Rtd) Ronald de Alwis, President Emeritus or Chairman, Sri Lanka Magic Circle Centenary Committee on 0723399874. Email magicana@sltnet.lk for inquiries.
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
