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The 76th Anniversary Celebrations of the OBA of St Xavier’s, N’ Eliya
The 76th Anniversary Celebrations of the OBA of St Xavier’s College, took place in December amidst a large gathering at the Queensbury Hotel, Nuwara Eliya.
The occasion was patronised by Rev. Fr. Anton Justin OMI, Assistant Parish Priest of SXC, the DIG Nuwara Eliya- Lionel Gunathilake, District Engineer- C. Seneviratne, Principal of Gamini CC Nimal Kumaradasa, Sectional Head SXC-Luxmi Gunasekara, Secretary of the SDS, Princely David, Ashnathi Nicholas the Project Director SXC, Vateran National Champion Athlete Venisha Perera, Old Xaverians and well-wishers.
Delivering the welcome address, Ex President RM passionately called upon the old boys, devoted parents, and dedicated teachers to unite in a collective effort to rejuvenate the noble legacy of the College, unfurling its banner once more for the betterment of the children.
The Principal extended thanks to the educational authorities for entrusting him with the responsibility of serving his alma mater. He acknowledged the steadfast support rendered by the OBA over the course of an impressive 76 years and the crucial role played by this unwavering alliance. He went on to say that the OBA who are the custodians of tradition and torchbearers of the institution’s rich history.
The OBA handed over twenty scholarships to present students, hard ball cricket gear, and fifty vintage photographs to be displayed in the College museum. Participants were entrusted with the responsibility of planting 76 Cypress trees, fostering a commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability.The OBA compilers released a book chronicling the life story of St. Francis Xavier, the patron saint of the College.
In a comprehensive overview, the Jt. Secretary Benjamin Jeganathan presented the Annual Report, encapsulating a half-decade of impactful projects undertaken by the OBA. The audience was given a glimpse into a series of endeavours that spanned diverse spheres, reflecting the OBA’s steadfast commitment to the betterment of the College community.
Among the noteworthy initiatives outlined in the report were the establishment of a school library, extensive renovation projects, shramadana campaigns, the promotion of hard ball cricket, and a spectrum of educational programs. Additionally, the OBA undertook ambitious English language skills development programs, showcasing a holistic approach to academic enrichment.
The Secretary highlighted the OBA’s philanthropic endeavour—a generous donation exceeding Rs. one million towards the renovation of the Church.
Looking forward, the Secretary issued a compelling call to action, urging Old Xaverians both near and far, to maintain active engagement with the OBA.
OBA Senior advisor and renowned musician Paul Perera, a stalwart in the field, raised his glass to propose a heartfelt toast, extending warm wishes for a fruitful and productive year ahead to the esteemed Xaverian community in 2024.
Nilan de Zoysa, serving as the Joint Secretary, underscored the significance of preserving St. Xavier’s College as the oldest functioning school in the district. The dinner dance was led by DJ Chanaka Ruberu.
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.
