News
SSC marks 125 years of excellence with grand celebration
Speech delivered by Singhalese Sports Club President Mr IS De Silva, at the 125th anniversary of the SSC on Thursday night with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe as the chief guests:
Your Excellency, madam Maithree Wickramasinghe, my fellow members and distinguished guests, as we commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the Singhalese Sports Club, my thoughts turn with gratitude to our visionary founders, evoking the timeless words of the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: “The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.”
These words resonate deeply with the dedication of our founding fathers. They initiated a journey and worked tirelessly to build the foundation to what is now regarded as the foremost premier sports club in the country.
Initially it was established as a Sinhalese only club in view of the restrictions that were imposed by the colonial rulers. However, much water has since passed through and the club now stands as a testament to inclusivity, welcoming members from all communities regardless of race and creed.
Evolving from its origins as a cricket and social club, SSC now embraces diverse sports such as tennis, swimming, squash and badminton, nurturing athletes who have proudly represented our country on the international stage.
In cricket, our club boasts luminaries like Arjuna Ranatunga, whose leadership led to our World Cup victory in 1996, and the graceful Mahela Jayawardene, the first SSC member honored in the ICC Hall of Fame, which is a rare prestige bestowed on a cricketer.
Beyond cricket, SSC has cultivated national champions across various sports, who have brought credit not only to the club but also to our country.
Throughout its illustrious history, the club has had the honor of counting among its presidents a head of state and two prime ministers—a distinction that sets us apart.
In recognition of their invaluable contributions, our club rules now extend the honorary presidency to sitting heads of state, a testament to the esteemed role our leaders have played in shaping our legacy.
As the club’s 10th President, I am deeply humbled to follow in the footsteps of such esteemed leaders. From its humble beginnings, SSC has grown into a beacon of sporting prowess, boasting state-of-the-art facilities capable of hosting international cricket matches. I am confident that not too far in the distant future with the support of our energetic and youthful Minister of Sports and the Sri Lanka Cricket Board with whom the Club has maintained a close and cordial relationship, the Singhalese Sports Club will be able to host international day and night matches.
I extend heartfelt gratitude to my predecessor, Mr. W.T. Ellawala, whose dedicated leadership has steered the club’s growth. I also wish to acknowledge the unwavering commitment of our office bearers and Executive Committee members, whose selfless efforts have been instrumental in shaping the club’s trajectory.
As we reflect on 125 years of remarkable journey, it is clear that our club’s foundation is strong and is most certainly poised to endure for generations to come.
Your Excellency, may I also take this opportunity to most respectfully urge you to contemplate transferring ownership of the properties of cricket clubs’, which have stood for over a century, to their respective members’. It is our humble view that this magnanimous act would ensure the preservation and continuation of the rich traditions and history of these institutions, fostering an environment where future generations of cricketers can thrive and flourish.
Finally, Ladies and gentlemen, let me conclude by inviting you to join me in proposing a toast to this “legacy of excellence”. I do not wish to inconvenience you to be upstanding. However please join me in raising your glasses -To the Singhalese Sports Club—a symbol of excellence, unity, and enduring legacy for many more generations to come.
Thank you all for joining us in this momentous celebration. May you enjoy the evening’s festivities to the fullest.
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
