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Sri Lanka Preparedness Partnership set for third operational cycle of effective emergency response
Text and pictures by PRIYAN DE SILVA
Technical Specialist of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) Eng. Bandula WickramarachchI at a press briefing held on Tuesday (21) said that
Sri Lanka Preparedness Partnership (SLPP) which had successfully completed its first two cycles of operation with an investment of USD 348,485.21, was set to commence its third operational cycle within the next few months and added that the third operational cycle would be operative for three years.
Sri Lanka Preparedness Partnership is a collaboration of Public, Private and civil Society Organisations who have come on board a common platform to set up locally led disaster risk reduction initiatives for effective emergency response. It is currently co-chaired by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Janathakshan GTE.
Wickramaarachchi said that SLPP was formed in September 2017 under the flagship of the Asian Preparedness Partnership (APP) and is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation with Secretarial support of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC).
The first operational cycle was completed in July 2019 after which SLPP implemented APP’s Covid 19 support programme during the period of June to December 2020. The second operational cycle commenced in September 2020 and will conclude in February 2023.
During this period the partnership also supported in localizing and implementing the global Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) frameworks, national DRR policies, strategies and plans. SLPP also contributed in supporting the national DRR coordination system through developing, updating and contextualisation of various national guidelines and standards.
Some of the major achievements include the establishment of national guidelines to develop institutional disaster management plans, updating standard operating plans, developing comprehensive model village disaster management plans, contextualising humanitarian standards for safe centre management and facilitated the building sub national partnerships via district chambers of commerce in selected locations.
Director SLPP Sunil Jayaweera said that of the 21 recognised disasters priority has been given to preparedness for tsunami risk as there was a limited time period between the warning and when the tsunami strikes and furthermore 14 of the 25 districts in the island face the risk of being struck by a tsunami. He said that evacuation drills are being conducted periodically at institutions that are at risk in these districts. Jayaweera said that landslides and flooding were the next two serious risks in Sri Lanka.
Director Operations Janathakshan GTE Ltd Gothami Chandrarathna said that Janathakshan acted as coordinators between civil society and other stakeholders and had taken the initiative to form the ‘Sri Lanka Civil Society Action Network for Community Resilience’ (SLNCR) which was an umbrella for over a hundred civil society organisations.
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
