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International Convention on Quality Control Circles 2024: Milestone in Quality Excellence

Published

1 year ago

2024/11/18

SLAAQP Office-bearers seen in the picture: Dr. Surani Dias (President of SLAAQP), Dr. Nimal de Silva (Vice President), Ms. Madhani Somasinghe (Vice President), Pathmalal Pathirana (Vice President), Ms. Sakunthala Goonathilaka (Vice President), T. M. P. G. Tennekoon (Treasurer), Namal Dharmarathne (Senior Vice President), Dr. Hemantha Weerakoon (Ass. Secretary), Prof, Hemanthi Ranasinghe (Editor), and Council members.

The 49th International Convention on Quality Control Circles (ICQCC 2024) successfully concluded in Colombo, demonstrating the nation’s capability in hosting world-class quality management events. Organised by the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Quality and Productivity (SLAAQP), the Convention attracted over 3,000 participants from 14 countries, making it one of the largest quality management gatherings in Asia.

The event commenced on 10 November with a high-profile Business Forum at the Hilton Colombo, where Prof. Wan Seon Shin delivered an inspiring address on “Open Quality in the Era of Digital Transformation.” His presentation, which was highly appreciated by the gathering of business leaders, explored how Korea has embraced digital transformation in quality management. The forum was followed by an International Research Conference featuring scholarly presentations on quality and productivity enhancement strategies from both local and international researchers.

The official inauguration at the BMICH on November 11th was marked by an online address from Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who emphasised the nation’s commitment to strengthening its economy through quality excellence and international collaboration. Professor Shin delivered another compelling keynote presentation, elaborating on Korea’s remarkable journey in quality management evolution through the “Quality Slope” model and the MTCI (Measure-Trace-Connect-Integrate) maturity framework.

Two inspiring entrepreneurs shared their success stories during the inaugural session. The CEO of CodeGen showcased their groundbreaking developments in sustainable technology, including innovations in electric vehicle technology and smart farming systems. Their agricultural management system, Aigrow FMS, has achieved remarkable efficiency improvements, including 70% reduction in fertiliser costs and 80% reduction in water usage.

The CEO of English Tea Shop, Herath, presented his company’s journey since its establishment in 2010. His presentation highlighted how the company has successfully implemented open-book management and a Creating Shared Value (CSV) model, fostering transparency and trust among its 400 Sri Lankan employees and London-based commercial team. His commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainable development has proven that quality-focused business models can drive both social impact and commercial success.

The Quality Control Circles competitions, held at the Mount Lavinia Hotel on November 12th and 13th, featured an innovative hybrid format. Of the 988 competing teams, 483 participated virtually while the remainder presented in person. The competition drew approximately 2,000 international participants from CCM (Coordinating Country Members) and 1,000 local participants from Sri Lanka’s manufacturing and service sectors. The judges awarded 965 gold awards and 23 silver awards, reflecting the exceptional quality of presentations across both virtual and physical platforms.

The Convention’s closing ceremony on 12 November featured spectacular cultural performances from all participating countries, celebrating the diversity of the quality management community. The ceremonial handover of the ICQCC flag to Taiwan, the next host country, marked a fitting conclusion to the main proceedings.

On November 14th, the programme concluded with organized factory visits for interested delegates, providing practical insights into Sri Lankan manufacturing excellence and quality management practices.

Throughout the event, the theme “Beyond Boundaries: A Quest for Quality, Productivity, and Innovation” resonated strongly, as participants shared experiences and best practices across national and cultural boundaries. The successful integration of virtual and physical participation demonstrated the convention’s adaptability to modern needs while maintaining its high standards. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from delegates confirmed ICQCC 2024 as a landmark event in the global quality management calendar, positioning Sri Lanka as an emerging cenre for quality management excellence in the region.

– Prof. Hemanthi Ranasinghe

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President meets senior officials of the Urban Development Authority

Published

4 hours ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

A discussion between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and senior officials of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) was held this afternoon (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The meeting focused extensively on new development projects planned by the Urban Development Authority. The President emphasised the need to ensure that the budgetary allocations made for these projects in the current year are utilised effectively within the same financial year.

Detailed discussions were also held on projects planned to be implemented jointly by multiple institutions, including the importance of holding consultations with all relevant agencies to reach final decisions and the need to clearly define responsibilities for each institution in both implementation and maintenance phases of the projects.

Attention was drawn to key initiatives such as the Kelani River flood control project, water management projects in Colombo city and the Beira Lake restoration project. The need for a dedicated programme for low-income housing in areas such as Ratmalana and Moratuwa was also highlighted. During the discussion, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake underscored the importance of introducing a structured management framework for the effective coordination of certain projects.

Deputy Minister of Urban Development, Eranga Gunasekara, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Senior Professor Kapila C.K. Perera, Chairman of the Urban Development Authority (UDA), M.G. Hemachandra and the Heads representing the Urban Settlement Development Authority (USDA), Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC), National Physical Planning Department (NPPD) and the Condominium Management Authority (CMA) were also present at the meeting.

(PMD)

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CEAT Kelani Branch Inter-Company Employees’ Union makes donation to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

Published

4 hours ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

The Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the Kelaniya Branch of CEAT Sri Lanka has made a financial donation of Rs. 1,148,000.00, a day’s salary of its members to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund established to support the restoration of livelihoods and the rebuilding of areas affected by cyclone Ditwah.

Secretary of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the CEAT Kelani Branch, D.G.S.D. Navaratne, handed over the donation to the Chief of Staff to the President, Prabhath Chandrakeerthi at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (18).

Treasurer of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the CEAT Kelani Branch, Y.P.I.C. Karunathilaka, together with members of the Executive Committee, were also present on the occasion.

(PMD)

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Prime Minister off to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum

Published

6 hours ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya departed on an official visit to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2026 Board of Governors Meeting.

During the visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to participate in several high-level academic and diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fields of education, development studies, research collaboration, and international partnerships.

As part of the visit, the Prime Minister will meet with Ms.Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education of the United Kingdom, at the UK Department for Education, to discuss areas of cooperation in education and related sectors. She is also expected to meet Ms.Yvette Cooper, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, for discussions on matters of bilateral interest and cooperation between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.

In addition, the Prime Minister is expected to meet Ms.Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, on the sidelines of the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2026 Board of Governors Meeting.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will attend a public event at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex and she will also take part in the ceremony marking the 60th Anniversary of the Institute of Development Studies. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to address a session at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies at the University of Oxford, followed by a question-and-answer session with scholars and students.

The visit is expected to strengthen Sri Lanka’s engagement with academic institutions, international development partners, and Commonwealth member states, particularly in the areas of education, research, policy dialogue, and capacity building.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]