News
Torrential rains wreak havoc in 15 districts
By Ifham Nizam
Torrential rains have affected 15 districts, and one death has been reported in the Kandy District, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).
DMC Deputy Director Pradeep Kodippili yesterday said that three houses had been destroyed and 81 others damaged. Thirty-seven families were sheltered at welfare centres in Kandy and Kurunegala. The Meteorological Department yesterday said that showers or thundershowers would occur countrywide after 1.00 p.m. today. Heavy showers above 100 mm may occur at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northwestern and Uva provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts. Showers may occur in the Northern, Eastern and Southern Provinces during the morning as well.
The Met Department has urged the public to take precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thunderstorms.
The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued a ‘LEVEL 3’ Landslide Early Warning for the several areas in Kandy, Kegalle and Kurunegala districts.
The warning has been issued for Ududumbara DS Division in the Kandy District, Mawathagama and Polgahawela DS Divisions in Kurunegala District and Deraniyagala, Dehiowita, Mawanella, Warakapola, Ruwanwella, Kegalle, Galigamuwa, Yatiyanthota, Aranayake, Bulathkohupitiya and Rambukkana DS Divisions in Kegalle District.
The level Three warning (Colour Code Red) is meant to urgethe people living in the aforementioned at-risk areas to evacuate to a safe location if rains continue.
The Irrigation Department yesterday issued minor flood warnings for several low-lying areas in the Maha Oya River Basin and Deduru Oya basin due to rising river water levels due to heavy rains.Owing to the rainfall situation that occurred in Maha Oya River Basin within the last 36 hours, the river water levels at the upstream areas have been rising considerably.
There is the possibility of minor floods in low-lying areas in the river basin especially in Marandagolla, Nalla, Diwuldeniya and Welihinda villages in Giriulla DS division areas within the next few hours.The Negombo-Kurunegala road faces the threat of inundation near the Giriulla town.
Besides, there is the possibility of a minor flood situation in low-lying areas of the Maha Oya River Basin situated in Alawwa, Mirigama, Pannala, Wennappuwa, Negombo, Katana and Dankotuwa DS divisions.
Those living in these areas and motorists traveling through these areas are requested to remain alert.
The Irrigation Department has also said that as per the rainfall and river water levels observed in upstream areas of the Deduru Oya Basin, there is a possibility of minor floods occurring depending on the upcoming rainfall, the spilling discharge may have to be increased. There is a possibility of floods in low-lying areas of Deduru Oya valley situated in Wariyapola, Nikaweratiya, Mahawa, Kobeigane, Bingiriya, Pallama, Chilaw, Arachchikattuwa and Rasnayakapura D/S Divisions within next few hours up to 24 hours.
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
