Business
NCPC’s conference and awards ceremony is relevant to the environmental matter at hand
by Sanath Nanayakkare
National Cleaner Production Centre (NCPC) Sri Lanka will hold its 2nd ‘International Conference at a time a huge number of environmental events draw the world’s attention to saving the planet Earth,
Several international speakers from renowned international organisations in the field, will share their insights at the conference titled, ‘Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy’, which will be held at the Waters Edge on 19th January 2022,
The audience of the forum will mainly comprise key personalities of the Sri Lankan corporate sector where more than 100 senior public sector officials, senior and middle-level managers will also take part.
NCPC Awards 2021 will also be held back-to- back with the 2nd International Conference on Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy.
The event is recognised as the pioneer environmental awards programme in Sri Lanka which is reputed for its impartial and comprehensive evaluation process in selecting the winners under different awards categories.
The one-day international conference will have the thematic session in the morning where renowned scholar Dr Rene Van Berkel, Head of UNIDO operations in South Asian Region will make the keynote presentation.
Dr Malini Balakrishnan from The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI), India Rajas Badra from Stenum Asia and Dr.Carl Vadenbo, Project Manager from Ecoinvent, will be among other main presenters at the conference.
NCPC was founded by United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in 2002, on the request of the government of Sri Lanka.
Gamini Gunasekera, Chairman of NCPC told the media that Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE), as stakeholders will represent the entire industrial export sector at the international conference.
Dr. Anil Jasinghe said that the key strategy adopted by UNIDO and United Nations
Environmental Programme (UNEP) to promote resource efficiency and cleaner production to the developing world was setting up of the National Cleaner production Centres and continuously developing the capacity and technical knowhow of such centres to support national and local governments as well as industries and businesses.
The government of Sri Lanka, particularly the Ministry of Industries and the Ministry of Environment as the national focal points for UNIDO and UNEP respectively, worked collaboratively to set up one of the centres in Sri Lanka, among the 50 plus centres set up under the Global programme. In this context, this conference and awards ceremony will be highly relevant.”
NCPC also provides many technical services to companies to improve their environmental performance. Those services include cleaner production assessments, energy audits, water audits, chemicals and safety audits, carbon footprint, water footprint etc.
In addition to that, they support industries to develop financial appraisal reports for access of finance for environment-friendly investments.
National Cleaner Production Awards scheme is another tool that NCPC has initiated with the objective of promoting Cleaner Production practices in the country. The body is also working with advanced environmental management tools such as Life Cycle assessment which are new to Sri Lanka.
Under UNIDO-UNEP Global Cleaner Production programme, NCPCs all over the world promote Resource Efficiency and Cleaner Production for industries and businesses.
The upcoming event on 19th January 2022 is widely expected to create a positive impact on all stakeholders as they are highly likely to benefit from international knowledge and updates on Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy.
Notably, NCPC supports industries to develop financial appraisal reports, empowering them with potential access to finance for green investments.
Gigalingua Lanka, a premier German language institute, officially launched in Colombo with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by distinguished guests, including Dr. Felix Neumann, German ambassador to Sri Lanka. This marks a significant milestone for Sri Lankan professionals, especially nurses, looking to expand their careers in Germany’s thriving healthcare sector.
In collaboration with its strategic partner Global Care Solutions (Pvt) Ltd – a renowned company in the foreign recruitment industry – Gigalingua Lanka offers a unique pathway for Sri Lankan nurses and apprentices to master the German language and pursue rewarding career opportunities in Germany.
Dr. Felix Neumann, the Chief Guest at the event, expressed his support for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of language education as a bridge to global career prospects. In his speech, Dr. Neumann noted, “German language is not only a means of communication, it is a gateway to global career opportunities.” He commended Gigalingua Lanka for providing valuable opportunities for Sri Lankans and addressing the critical demand for skilled workers, especially in the nursing sector in Germany.
Gigalingua Lanka is the first private institute in Sri Lanka to offer comprehensive German language training up to the B2 level, and conduct TELC exam. The institution also provides language training for apprentices, allowing them to undertake the Apprenticeship Program and contribute to the growing labor market in Germany. The collaboration between Gigalingua Lanka and Global Care Solutions is designed to meet Germany’s growing need for skilled workers, particularly in the healthcare sector.
The event was attended by a number of prominent figures, including Dr. Felix Neumann , Arthur Senanayake (chairman of IWS Holdings), Eran Wickramaratne – former MP, Chandra Schaffter – ( Founder of Janashakthi Insurance ), Dhammika Attygalle (Director Upali Group of Companies and President Automobile Association of Ceylon) Former Wing Commander Buwaneka Abeysuriya (Ex- chairman Janatha Estates Development Board).
Chairman of Global Care Solutions, Thomas Michael Kriwat, who is also chairman of the Mercmarine Group of Companies in Germany, highlighted the significance of the new training center. He said, “We are bringing world-class German occupational language training to Colombo, offering a structured, career-focused pathway for Sri Lankan professionals. By introducing TELC (The European Language Certificates) as an officially certified German language test authority, we are increasing accessibility for students seeking internationally recognized qualifications.”
At the thanksgiving speech, Dr. Rajan Sara, Managing Director of Global Care Solutions and Director of Gigalingua Lanka, outlined the critical need for foreign nurses in Germany. “Germany is facing a significant shortage of nurses, estimated to need an additional 150,000 by 2025. This is exacerbated by an aging population and increasing healthcare demands. Over 47,000 vacancies in the healthcare sector remain unfilled, making it an ideal time for Sri Lankan nurses to seize this opportunity,” Dr. Sara explained. (Gigalingua Lanka)
In keeping with its vision to consistently evolve and address accelerated business growth needs, Brown & Company PLC recently unveiled its new state-of-the-art manufacturing and warehouse facility in Katunayake. Strategically located within minutes of the Bandaranaike International Airport and the nation’s rapidly evolving highway network, the space is positioned to significantly enhance Browns’ logistical capabilities. The hub will enable seamless access to key markets across the island, further solidifying the Company’s principal role in a cross-section of industries.
The inaugural event of the Browns Group Industrial Park was attended by Ishara Nanayakkara, Chairman, Brown & Company PLC and Deputy Chairman, LOLC Holdings PLC and Kapila Jayawardene, Group Managing Director/CEO, LOLC Holdings PLC along with key officials from the Browns and LOLC Group.
Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s #1 connectivity provider, has successfully launched the highly anticipated vivo V50 smartphone, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to bringing 5G technology and pro-level mobile experiences to Sri Lankan customers, with the first customer handover taking place on 27th March 2025.
The vivo V50, designed in collaboration with ZEISS, combines advanced features such as a 50MP ZEISS OIS Main Camera, a powerful Snapdragon® 7 Gen 3 processor, and a stunning 6,000mAh battery, all housed in a sleek, ultra-slim design. Available at an attractive price, the vivo V50 delivers unmatched mobile performance for work, play, and creativity, offering features such as AI-enhanced photography, 4K video recording, and lightning-fast 90W FlashCharge technology. The vivo V50 also boasts a 41° golden curvature for a comfortable grip and a premium, cinematic mobile experience.
Dialog’s partnership with vivo underscores its commitment to bringing the latest in 5G innovation to Sri Lanka, providing customers with access to next-generation mobile experiences and empowering them to capture, create, and connect like never before. The vivo V50 is now available for purchase at Dialog’s Experience Centers and via https://www.dialog.lk/phones/vivo-v50-5g-12gb.
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Sun directly overhead Nainamadama, Sandalankawa, Kundasale, Mahiyanganaya and Kalmunanai at about 12:12 noon today [08]
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