News
Sunil Gamini Wijesinha and Prof. Upul Bandara Dissanayake receiving “The Order of the Rising Sun”
Two highly acclaimed Lankans have been honoured with “The Order of the Rising Sun” were announced by the Government of Japan for their distinguished contributions to enhancing the Japan-Sri Lanka relationship, Japanese Embassy said.
It said: On 29th April 2023, the recipients of “The Order of the Rising Sun” were announced by the Government of Japan. For the Spring Conferment this year, two highly acclaimed individuals from Sri Lanka have been honoured with this esteemed decoration in recognition of their distinguished contributions to enhancing the Japan-Sri Lanka relationship. Their details are as follows: Sunil Gamini Wijesinha, the former President of the Japan Sri Lanka Technical & Cultural Association (JASTECA), promoted Japan’s organizational management system, namely “5S (system for organizing spaces so that the work can be performed efficiently, effectively, and safely)”, “Quality Circles (a system of involving non-executive employees in carrying out quality and productivity improvement projects)”, Total Quality management method, and Kaizen (a concept of improving the organizational activities) in Sri Lanka through the establishment of JASTECA as one of the founding members. He also created an award to recognize the contribution of Sri Lankan companies that introduce the 5S system. In addition, he has contributed to disseminate the benefits of the Japanese management systems by organizing various international conferences on Japanese style management, and 5S in Sri Lanka, by publishing articles in the newspapers and magazines, being an invited speaker, and lecturing about it abroad.
He was also commissioned to teach the Japanese management system as an adviser to the Government of Sri Lanka and supported both Sri Lankan and Japanese companies who are interested in investing in Sri Lanka. Through long-standing and various activities, Mr. Wijesinha has contributed to strengthening economic relations and promoting mutual understanding between Japan and Sri Lanka.
Professor Upul Bandara Dissanayake, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya and Chairman of the Board of University Administration, has contributed to promoting academic partnerships between Japan and Sri Lanka in the field of dental sciences as a leading professor in the field as well as the dean of the Faculty of Dental Sciences, and in broader fields during his tenure as Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya.
One of Professor Dissanayake’s notable achievements was spearheading the JICA project “Dental Education and Oral Health Promotion of the Faculty of Dental Sciences,” which resulted in the construction of modern clinical and research facilities equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. These facilities served as a springboard for Professor Dissanayake to exponentially expand academic exchanges with Japanese counterparts at various universities with dental sciences departments in Japan. Additionally, the University of Peradeniya under Professor Dissanayake’s leadership hosted JICA’s third country training programs, providing high-quality training to dental sciences scholars and specialists from neighboring countries.
Even after assuming responsibilities in the University management as a member of the Board of University Administration, and later as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya and the Chairman of the Board of University Administration, Professor Dissanayake’s commitment to promoting the Japan-Sri Lanka relationship has only strengthened. He has orchestrated numerous signature programs including the Japan-Sri Lanka Collaborative Research Conferences and various joint research initiatives and partnership MOUs. These initiatives covered areas well beyond dental sciences such as agriculture, engineering and environmental studies.
Professor Dissanayake’s academic excellence, unwavering dedication to connecting academia in Japan and Sri Lanka, and his keen interest in understanding Japan have always been and will continue to be a beacon of academic collaboration between our two countries.
The Embassy of Japan expressed its heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Wijesinha and Professor Dissanayake on the decoration of the Orders, with sincere appreciation for their remarkable dedication to the cause of promoting friendly relationship between Japan and Sri Lanka.
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
