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The Sri Lanka Federation of University Women Celebration of International Women’s Day 2023
The Sri Lanka Federation of University Women (SLFUW), under its President Colonel Dr. Udula Krishnaratne, celebrated International Women’s Day on Saturday, 4th March, at its Headquarters in Kitulwatte Road, Colombo. The Chief Guest was the illustrious Professor Emeritus Jennifer Perera, famed Microbiologist and former Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, who addressed the gathering on ‘ The importance of Women’s Health in Economic Development. Professor Emeritus Takshala Serasinghe, the keynote Speaker, spoke on ‘DigitAll:Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality’.
In her welcome address, giving an overview of its history, Dr. Krishnaratne said that it was set up as a non-political, non-governmental charitable body in 1941, even before the University was established. She paid tribute to the dedicated ladies who contributed to its development. Foremost among them was its Founder President Mrs. Clara Motwani, a young American with a Master’s Degree in Education, and her group of friends, which included Ms. Hilda Kularatne, Ms. Doreen Wickramasinghe, and Ms. Susan George Pulimood. Their foresight and commitment led to the expansion of educational opportunities for the girl child, a primary need of the time.
SLFUW Meetings were held in their homes initially, but in 1996, Professor Lorna Devaraja and Ms. Manel Abeysekara were able to obtain a block of land in Kitulwatte Road, Colombo, from the UDA. Finally, overcoming many difficulties the SLFUW was able to move into its own premises in 2006.
The program included the felicitation of two Past Presidents who were present, Professor Nayani Melagoda and Ms. Seela Ebert, for their leadership and service. Five scholarships were presented to University students from underprivileged areas. The President also thanked Ms. Indra Puvimanasingham a former SLFUW President, for a donation of educational equipment from a well-wisher in America. It was handed over to Ananda Samarakoon Vidyalaya in Wewala, attended primarily by underprivileged children.
A noteworthy feature of the event was the participation of members of the Visually Impaired Women’s Federation, with its President Ms. Violet Yakandawala, who had obtained her University Degree at a time when even Braille facilities were not available. She revealed the startling fact that the first persons to discriminate against the visually impaired were the family members themselves. Visually impaired children were considered an embarrassment to the family, and kept in hiding, out of sight of society.
The celebration was well-attended and well-organized, with dance items by the Sri Lanka Army Dance Troupe, and a song movingly rendered by a second-year law student at the University of Colombo.The General Secretary, Anjali Gamage offered her thanks to all those who helped the SLFUW in many ways including the Sponsors of the event, and the Council Members who did all the behind-the scenes-preparatory work for the celebrations.
The Sri Lanka Federation of University Women is the foremost organization of educated women in Sri Lanka engaged in community service work. During the past 82 years, it has made an immense contribution to the welfare of women and children in particular, and to the community at large in general. The people of Sri Lanka are facing extremely difficult times at present, and we wish that, under its aegis, the women of Sri Lanka will be able to help our motherland forge ahead in socio-economic and cultural development.
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
