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Weerawansa sees silver lining in COVID-19 pandemic: Sri Lanka has realised its core values
By Saman Indrajith
Industry Minister Wimal Weerawansa says that the COVID-19 pandemic, despite all its ill-effects, has reminded us of the value of indigenous wisdom and traditional practices.
“In a way the pandemic is a blessing in disguise for it helped promote local culture and its traditions. We have been told that 80 percent Sri Lankans do not show the symptoms of the virus infection and it is believed that the majority have not been infected. This is because almost all Sri Lankan mothers have breast-fed their children and almost all of us have the best immunity in the world. In addition, it is also believed that our food culture too has helped increase our immunity. It is because of the pandemic those values have come to light.”
Minister Weerawansa was speaking at the launch of Made in Sri Lanka (MISL) franchise logo to micro and SME manufacturers during a ceremony held at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo on Tuesday.
“We have inherited all we need. It is sad that we had not been able to recognise the value of those traditions until the pandemic compelled us to do so. The pandemic resulted in a change of thinking of the people. Many businessmen have commenced investing on buying lands to cultivate because the pandemic has shown that our dependence on imports will make us vulnerable. Ours is a past that is so rich in knowledge and wisdom. The oldest hospital and the oldest surgical equipment were found in Anuradhapura. The government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa gives the maximum possible support for reviving this nation and making us once again the centre of excellence in this part of the world.”
At the ceremony the MISL franchise logo designed by the National Enterprise Development Authority’s (NEDA) on the basis of ancient wood carvings of Embekke Devale and an e-commerce portal were launched.
Minister Weerawansa said that the introduction of the ‘Made in Sri Lanka’ franchise logo to micro and SME manufacturers would mark a turning point in local industry. “The brand, Made in Sri Lanka, will help make our products globally available through a newly launched e-commerce portal. Today, we start several programmes under the ‘Made in Sri Lanka’ brand campaign. These programmes will assist the micro, small, and medium-scale entrepreneurs making local products. The campaign has identified many longstanding issues barring the Lankan entrepreneurs to have a foothold in the local market and push their products to the global market.”
The website of the MISL www.madeinsrilanka.org designed by the NEDA was launched creating a platform that will connect these MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) to businesses and consumers.
Minister Weerawansa thanked his advisor Sunil Hettiarachchi and NEDA Chairman Anushka Gunasinghe for their role in creating the platform that would enable the MSMEs overcome limitations imposed on them by the COVID-19 pandemic to promote their products. The NEDA has a network of MSMEs that have been registered at divisional secretariats. The concept came about due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s first lockdown as a means to empower local traders and entrepreneurs, the Minister said.
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
