News
British HC reminds Lankan professionals who leave country due to crisis of their responsibility to return
… stresses the need for freedom of choice
British High Commissioner in Colombo Andrew Patrick said that he expected those leaving Sri Lanka due to the ongoing crisis situation to return eventually. The top UK diplomat called it a big crisis.
HC Patrick said so at the CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing) graduation ceremony held at the BMICH on Wednesday (17).
Referring to the developing political-economic-social crisis, the High Commissioner who has been posted to Colombo since last August pointed out the real possibility in some of the marketing graduates seeking opportunities overseas. Patrick succeeded Sarah Hulton. Having declared that CIM qualification a worldwide passport, he stressed the responsibility on their part to return home where they could contribute to the local economy.
At the onset of his brief remarks, the former Ambassador to Burma (2013-2018) stressed the importance and value of the relationship between the UK and Sri Lanka in the education field. Patrick said that he was very sad to hear some of those whom he talked to wouldn’t want to come back.
Among those present were Chris Daly, Chief Executive, CIM, since 2016, and Maggie Jones, Director Qualifications and Partnership, CIM which has maintained a formal presence here for over two decades.
Having explained the difficult tasks he faced in Colombo as the UK’s top envoy, a smiling HC Patrick asserted that his performance could be judged at the end of his three-year term.
The HC reiterated their stand on open societies in which principles of association and access to information are among the matters promoted and encouraged. The HC made reference to access to information as well as disinformation. Patrick stressed that the UK advocated open societies and democracy. It was meant to ensure free flow of information, the HC said. “It is about individuals being able to make choices on how they want to live their lives and who their government is and of course the crucial part of that is them having access to information to decide about buying some product or voting for a candidate.
Patrick said: “As a diplomat, I have to do some amateur marketing much of the time. I’m probably doing a lot of things wrong. My job is two-fold. One is to try to make sure, at a minimum, the country I’m in understands what the UK thinks about big issues, that they are not going to make a mistake and make a decision and be surprised how the UK reacts.”
“There is another, more difficult part when you try to persuade the country that you are in that the way you think of something is the right way and it is in their interest to think the same way. “You have to judge in three years’ time whether I got the second task right or wrong.”
In her welcome address, Onalie Dissanayake, Country Head (Sri Lanka and the Maldives) recalled the difficulties experienced by all during 2023. Dissanayake referred to continuing economic uncertainty, shifting inflation and political instability at global level have contributed to the developing crisis. She said marketers could use this opportunity to prove and underscore their importance (SF)
The second day of the “Vesak Bhakti Gee Saraniya”, held in parallel with the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” jointly organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office, commenced on Tuesday (13) at 6:30 p.m. under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat premises.
The evening featured musical performances by renowned vocalist Ilyas Beg and the Sri Lanka Air Force Bhakti Gee Troup, accompanied by the Air Force Band. A Vesak lantern exhibition was also held at the venue. The event was attended by the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, along with several senior officials of the Presidential Secretariat.
This Bhakthi Gee programme will continue today [May 14] and tomorrow at the same location. Additionally, a short-eats dansala is being held near the Presidential Secretariat for the benefit of the public visiting Colombo for Vesak, and will continue until May 16.
Meanwhile, a ‘Buth Dansala’ organized jointly by the Presidential Secretariat and the Sri Lanka Army was inaugurated yesterday near the Presidential Secretariat, with the participation of senior military officers. A large number of devotees from across the country attended the event.
In line with the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ and ‘Bauddhaloka Vesak Kalapya’, several Vesak programmes have been organized in the vicinity with the support of the Presidential Secretariat. These include the illumination of nearby government buildings and roads with decorative lights, and the display of Vesak lanterns, with the active participation of the Presidential Secretariat staff.
[PMD]
The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
News
“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital
Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.
Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.
A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.
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