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Another batch of Indian Oil’s women executives visit Lanka

Published

4 years ago

2023/02/26

Under the ‘Aarohi’ (to ascend) initiative of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL), another group of identified middle management level women executives visited Sri Lanka last week. Aarohi is a pioneering effort and Indian Oil’s Commitment to develop unique strengths in senior women executives aimed toward their all-round development and enhancing their leadership quality, so that they can ascend into significant leadership roles and contribute to the organisation through performance excellence.

This year the batch of Aarohi 5.0 consisting of 10 Women Officials from IOCL visited Sri Lanka with the purpose of understanding the operations of Lanka IOC and interacting with Team LIOC which has been relentlessly pursuing the objective of meeting the energy needs of the beautiful Island nation under any circumstances.

It is pertinent to mention that recently in the month of November 2022, another batch of 14 women executives had visited Sri Lanka under Aarohi 4.0 program and had an enriching experience throughout their visit. During their six day–visit, the group travelled across the length and breadth of the country including visit to Trincomalee Terminal facilities. At Trincomalee terminal, the group visited various facilities including Lower and Upper Tanks Farms, Oil Jetty, Lube Blending and Grease Manufacturing Plant which also involved fruitful interactions with terminal employees of LIOC with visitors displaying plenty of inquisitiveness and enthusiasm. A Harbor trip was also arranged to witness the harbor mount and other facilities at the harbor.

All latest developments, the strategic steps being taken and way forward towards business excellence were shared with the group. An Industrial visit was organised at Army School of Logistics (ASL), Clappenburg, Trincomalee with the kind assistance of Sri Lankan Army, wherein the participants were briefed on the various modalities and importance of Logistics in the smooth functioning of National Safety and Security.

The Aarohi team also visited LIOC›s Head office at Colombo and had a lively interaction with all HO employees. The interaction was mutually beneficial as the LIOC employees also gained valuable insight into various new initiatives being undertaken by Indian Oil Corporation in India specially pertaining to female employees. The vibrant interaction has opens new channel of communication between IOCL and LIOC employees which is likely to be beneficial for both the organisations through better exchange of ideas and best practices.

The visiting group also had the pleasure of meeting the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay, who warmly welcomed the entire group and shared with them the several positive strategic initiatives that Government of India has undertaken and intends to undertake with an aim to strengthen the socio-political relationship between India and Sri Lanka. His Excellency also appreciated the IOCL›s unique initiative to organise a visit of the women officials to Sri Lanka which is a sign of further strengthening the mutual admiration between the two countries.

Aarohi team was enthralled by the fascinating landscapes unfolding the mesmerising natural beauty of the Island nation as they visited Tooth Relic temple, Sigiriya Rock, Gangaramaya temple, Lotus tower, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Independence Square, Trincomalee Deer park apart from several other prominent locations enroute their travel destinations.

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Sun directly overhead Mannar, Periyamadu, Puliyankulam, Welioya and Pulmoddai about 12.11 noon today (30)

Published

2 hours ago

2026/08/30

Priyan

The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.

The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (30) are Mannar, Periyamadu, Puliyankulam, Welioya and
Pulmoddai about 12.11 noon.

News

Lanka tracks 11 US-sanctioned Iranian tankers off coast

Published

4 hours ago

2026/08/30

Thilina Walpola

(AFP) Sri Lanka’s maritime authorities were monitoring a fleet of 11 US-sanctioned Iranian oil tankers just off the island’s southern coast, the foreign minister said Wednesday.

The tankers were spotted close to the Galle harbour where an Iranian frigate, IRIS Dena, was sunk by a US submarine in March, killing 104 sailors. Sri Lanka’s navy rescued 32 Iranian sailors from that frigate.

Iranian vessels have been in limbo, unable to return to their home port because of a US blockade.

Sri Lanka’s Foreign minister Vijitha Herath said the tankers were in international waters where they had freedom of navigation.

“These ships are away from our territorial waters… we have no hold on them, nor have we facilitated them,” Herath told AFP.

The military deployed reconnaissance aircraft and patrol boats to monitor the vessels outside Sri Lanka’s 12-nautical-mile territorial waters, a military official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

“There is no indication of any ship-to-ship transfer of oil or illegal discharge of pollutants, so there is no basis for Sri Lankan authorities to take action against them,” the official said.

Many Iranian merchant vessels moved east towards the Strait of Malacca and Singapore due to US sanctions, while several remained near Sri Lankan waters, authorities said.

Sri Lankan officials said Washington had not formally notified Colombo about sanctioned Iranian-flagged vessels

News

House to debate abolition of Chief of Defence Staff post

Published

4 hours ago

2026/08/30

Thilina Walpola

Parliament is to debate next Wednesday the Government’s proposal to abolish the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), with the Second Reading of the Chief of Defence Staff (Repeal) Bill scheduled for September 9.

The Bill seeks to repeal the Chief of Defence Staff Act No. 35 of 2009, which was introduced shortly after the end of the armed conflict.

According to Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera, Parliament will meet from September 8 to 11, with the business for the week approved by the Committee on Parliamentary Business chaired by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.

The debate on the Chief of Defence Staff (Repeal) Bill is scheduled to take place from 11.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, following questions to the Prime Minister and other parliamentary business.

The CDS post was established under the 2009 Act as part of the country’s higher defence command structure.

On Tuesday, September 8, the House will consider two Orders published in Extraordinary Gazettes under the Motor Traffic Act from 11.30 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by an Opposition motion at the adjournment.

On Thursday, September 10, Parliament will debate a Resolution under the Women’s Empowerment Act.

The final sitting day of the week, Friday, September 11, has been allocated from 11.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. for several Private Members’ Motions.

The motions will cover issues including regulation of the petroleum, fuel and water industries, measures to increase the birth rate, protection of the Diyagama Forest, pension deductions affecting Pirivena teachers, food-crop cultivation in mountainous areas, development of the Kithul industry and the establishment of a Faculty of Medicine at South Eastern University.

Questions at the adjournment will be taken up at the end of each sitting day.