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Wildlife and Nature Protection Society and Canadian partners on environmental webinars
The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society and the High Commission of Canada to Sri Lanka and Maldives last week announced their collaboration on upcoming environmental webinars.
“These joint virtual discussions will feature Canadian, Sri Lankan and Maldivian environmental experts and activists and will facilitate exchanges of best practices between the Sri Lankan, Canadian and Maldivian environmental conservation communities,” a press release issued in this connection said.
On February 22, WNPS and the High Commission of Canada will be presenting a joint edition of WNPS’ “Marine Chat” dedicated to marine plastic pollution and featuring panellists from Sri Lanka, Canada and Maldives. The “Marine Chats” are monthly discussions presented by WNPS showcasing some of Sri Lanka’s best marine scientists.
“WNPS and the High Commission of Canada also share the perspective that young people are key to protecting the planet and that we must support them and provide them with the tools and knowledge they need to advance environmental issues. It is with great pleasure that we announce the participation of world-renowned Canadian artist and activist Benjamin Von Wong in WNPS’ Youth Workshop on March 3, 2021, which will focus on the intersection between art and environmental activism,” the release said.
“Further, we are pleased to share that experts from Ocean Wise – a globally recognized Canadian ocean conservation organization – will be featured in WNPS’ monthly lecture series on March 18. Held every third Thursday of the month, the “Monthly Lectures” are among WNPS’ most popular activities, which give prominent environmental experts centre stage to share their knowledge on a range of issues with the Sri Lankan public.”
Speaking about the partnership, WNPS President Sriyan de Silva Wijeyeratne said “The WNPS is thankful to the High Commissioner and the broader Canadian Community for their support towards improving the conservation efforts in Sri Lanka. Our country is presently under siege and has seen more destruction in a year than possibly in a decade. Bringing back a balance requires a lot of education and appreciation for Nature and Conservation. Exposing global best practices and success stories and collaborating is the best way forward, and these initiatives will certainly help.”
The Canadian High Commissioner David McKinnon highlighted that “protecting the environment is critical for our people, our planet, and our economies. We all face the challenge of building a more resilient future for the next generation, where they do not have to choose between clean air or clean water and good jobs. Through our partnership with WNPS, we are pleased to facilitate an international exchange of knowledge and best practices to enrich Sri Lankan, Maldivian and Canadian thinking on environmental conservation and contribute to the discussion on sustainable economic 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
