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SLAF WOMEN’S TEAM DOMINATES AT 8TH CANOE SPRINT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WITH OPEN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

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The SLAF Canoeing and Kayaking team delivered an exceptional performance at the 8th Canoe Sprint National Championship, demonstrating remarkable skill and competitiveness across various events. The Championship, organized by the National Association for Canoeing and Kayaking in Sri Lanka (NACKSL), was held in the scenic waters off Jaffna Fort from 14 to 16 September 2024, offering a unique and enriching experience for participants

The SLAF team earned a total of six Gold, nine Silver, and five Bronze medals during the competition. The SLAF Women’s team notably secured both the Open Women’s Championship and the Open Women’s Best Paddle award, while the SLAF Men’s team triumphed by winning the U23 Men’s Championship.

The event was graced by the Chief Secretary of the Northern Province, Mr. L. Ilangowan, as the Chief Guest. Additionally, the Chairperson of the Seva Vanitha Unit of the Sri Lanka Navy, Mrs. Mala Lamahewa, the President of NACKSL and Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Chinthaka Kumarasinghe, the Chairman of SLAF Rowing and Kayaking, Air Commodore Asitha Hettiarachchi, Commanding Officer of SLAF Station Palaly, Group Captain Chaminda Herath, along with a large group of water sports enthusiasts, attended the event.

CLARIFICATION ON SLAF AIRCRAFT USAGE FOR PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS

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Recently, there have been media reports about the alleged misuse of SLAF aircraft for campaigning by presidential candidates. We wish to clarify that aircraft are provided to candidates on payment basis as per the standard procedure.

We urge that any reporting pertaining to SLAF be done with verified information to ensure that news articles are accurate.

Pen Sri Lanka Launches “Tea Stained Lines” at the Indian Cultural Centre in Colombo

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The ‘Voice for the Voiceless project by PEN-Sri Lanka  came to fruition with the Book Presentation Ceremony of “Tea Stained Lines”, a stirring collection of heartfelt poems penned by 20 talented Tamil poets from the Upcountry tea estates, on the 11th of September 2024, at the Indian Cultural Centre in Colombo. The project, successfully spearheaded by the General Secretary of Pen Sri Lanka, Pathum Wickremaratne, and Mr. Upul Janaka Jayasinghe, the President of Pen Sri Lanka, bore testament to the dedication and teamwork of Pen Sri Lanka, who tirelessly undertook the task of collecting and selecting 20 poems from hundreds of talented young people from the tea estates of Sri Lanka, and translating them into English and Sinhala with the assistance of various scholars.

PEN Sri Lanka promotes literature and creative writing through various events such as book launches, seminars,writing workshops, literary festivals, and poetry readings. These events give aspiring writers a platform to showcase their work and to encourage young people to develop their writing skills. All forms of literature are celebrated and a voice is given to writers from all corners of Sri Lanka.

The Voice for the Voiceless project is a testament to PEN International principles. The project provided a platform for these unsung Poets with the main objective of being to establish a platform that showcases the talent of 20 selected underappreciated artists within the Up-country Tamilian community. Additionally, through the “A Voice for the Voiceless” project, Pen Sri Lanka aims to form a wider understanding of the cultural challenges faced by the Up Country Tamils and also bring to the forefront the authentic representation of this marginalised community through their artistic works of poetry.

The project is the second by PEN-Sri Lanka and the selected 20 Tamil poems have been translated into English and Sinhala. By creating opportunities for these undiscovered artists to showcase their work, Pen Sri Lanka aims to promote their unique culture and artistic capabilities to a wider audience in Sri Lanka. Additionally, through “A Voice for the Voiceless” project, it is hoped that there will be a  wider understanding of the cultural challenges faced by the Up Country Tamils and also bring to the forefront the authentic representation of this marginalised community through their artistic  works of poetry.

Present at the “Tea Stained Lines” book launch ceremony were dignatories from both Sri Lanka and India, including Mr. Mayilvaganam Thilakaraj (The Chief Editor Of The Book),Chief Guest : The Hon. Vidura Wickramanayake, The Minister Of Buddhashasana, Religious, And Cultural Affairs, Professor Ankuran Dutta – The Director Of The ICCR (Indian Cultural Centre),Ms. Navya Singla, (First Secretary Of The Indian High Commission,Mr. Radhakrishan – Former State Minister, Mr. Madan Gowda – The General Secretary Of The Karnataka District Journalist Association & President Of The Indian Wing Of The Asian Media And Cultural Association (AMCA) and many more friends of Pen Sri Lanka, the media  and the Asian Media Cultural Association.

About Pen International –

PEN International is a worldwide association of writers, founded in London in 1921 to promote friendship and intellectual co-operation among writers everywhere. The association has autonomous International PEN centres in more than 100 countries. PEN Sri Lanka, the newest branch of PEN International,recently joined this esteemed worldwide organisation of writers in 2022. The mission of PEN Sri Lanka is to promote literature and freedom of expression, and to defend the rights of writers and readers in the island.

BY NELUM BUDDHADASA

 LAWYERS’ COLLECTIVE STATEMENT ON THE MANNER OF VOTING AT THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION (Bar Association’s Statement on How to Vote in the Presidential Election

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LAWYERS’ COLLECTIVE STATEMENT ON THE MANNER OF VOTING AT THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION (1)Download

Raise Wages to Allow Plantation Workers to Earn Unlimited Income

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The Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment has issued a gazette notification allowing plantation workers to earn unlimited daily wages based on their productivity.

This gazette notification, signed by the Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment, R.P.A. Wimalaweera, sets the daily minimum basic salary at 1,350 rupees, with an additional payment of 50 rupees for each kilo of tea leaves picked. Workers in rubber plantation companies will also receive this additional payment for each extra kilo of rubber collected.

Accordingly, workers can earn a high daily wage without any limit based on their productivity.

The gazette also increases the minimum threshold for contributions to employees’ provident funds and employees’ trust funds for estate employees to 1,350 rupees.

This salary increase will be effective from September 10.

Sri Lankan Expatriates shine at Cricket Tournament in Paris

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RUZAIK FAROOK

The City of Paris, renowned for its rich sporting heritage and historic role in the Olympic Games, became the stage for an exhilarating display of cricketing excellence during the European Championship Softball Cricket Tournament. Hosted by the prestigious France All Blacks Sports Club, the event drew spectators and sports enthusiasts from across Europe, making it a monumental occasion in the country’s cricketing calendar.

The France All Blacks Sports Club, a name synonymous with cricket in France for decades, once again cemented its place as a key pillar of the sport, delivering a flawlessly organised tournament that showcased high-calibre talent and sportsmanship. The tournament, held recently saw top-tier teams from Switzerland, Italy, and France compete in a fiercely contested battle for the European Men’s Ball Cricket Championship. The European Championship Cricket Tournament was organised by Sri Lankan expatriates for the Sri Lankan community residing in Europe.

In a thrilling finale, the France All Blacks A team emerged as champions, claiming the coveted championship cup after an intense match. The Swiss Sports Club, demonstrating exceptional skill and determination, secured the runner-up position. The third-place contest saw the France All Blacks B team take on Italy, with the All Blacks B team clinching the win. In a commendable display of sportsmanship, both teams embraced the true essence of cricket, sharing the honours in a spirit of camaraderie.

Speaking at the event, All Blacks Sports Club President Razadi Zhiyaur Saly, expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved. “We are deeply thankful to our sponsors, participants, spectators, and supporters who made this event such a tremendous success. It was our pleasure to provide this platform for showcasing cricketing talent, and we are proud of how far the sport has come in France and beyond,” he said.

Individual performances were equally celebrated, with Mohamed Zanhar of the All Blacks Sports Club sweeping the accolades, including Man of the Match, Best Batsman, and the Maximum Sixes Award. Saheem from the Swiss Sports Club was recognized as Best Bowler, while Abdullah (Hafiz) earned the prestigious Star Player award. Other notable acknowledgements included Jiffry as the Most Handsome Batsman, Shan for Best Fielding, and Mustaq as the Emerging Young Player.

The tournament also honoured key contributors to the event’s success, with Ramlan receiving recognition for management and organization, and Sajath being awarded for his role as announcer. Special thanks were extended to Makarim, Bathusha, Anoos, Thanis, Fawmy, Isam, Arshad, and Shabir for their invaluable efforts in bringing the event to life.

A vibrant and enthusiastic crowd gathered to witness the matches, underscoring the growing passion for cricket across Europe. The European Championship Softball Cricket Tournament stands as a testament to the dedication of the France All Blacks Sports Club and the enduring appeal of cricket as a global sport.

President of the champion team All Blacks Sports Club Razadi Saly and Abdullah Hafiz received champion award from sponsor of the tournament Numan Catering Service Proprietor Numan Kadir at this tournament.

Secretary of the Club Ahmed Lafrin, Treasurer Mohamed Jiffry, Captain Mohamed Zanhar, Commentator Ramlan Majid and members were also present. 

Picture Caption –

President of the champion team All Blacks Sports Club Razadi Saly and team member  Abdullah Hafiz receiving champion award from sponsor of the tournament Numan Catering Service Proprietor Numan Kadir.

The WCIC PRATHIBHABHISHEKA.

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Women Entrepreneur Awards 2024

(September ‘24 Colombo) The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce announced the launch of its annualflagshipevent  “WCIC PRATHIBHABHISHEKA – WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR AWARDS 2024” to recognize and reward the outstanding women entrepreneurs of Sri Lanka and in the SAARC Region.

“The Women Entrepreneur Awards 2024 is unveiled.We once again invite outstanding women entrepreneurs, who have braved the challenges in the past few years, to share their story of resilience and achievements to compete for the coveted – WCIC PRATHIBHABHISHEKA – The Women Entrepreneur awards 2024, at the ceremony to be held in January 2025. The AwardsCeremony willhonor women entrepreneurs for their tenacity to scale and grow, and for their contribution and impact on the economy. Whilst the competition is primarily for Sri Lankan Entrepreneurs, we have included an opportunity for women entrepreneurs in the SAARC region to compete under the  special category. The program which was a face lift to the Women Entrepreneur Awards WCIC conducted in the past, has grown in stature year on year. It is the third consecutive award ceremony under the new theme that we will undertake in 2024 , the impact it has made on the audience is clearly visible. The applicants are now very awareof  the need for a strategic outlook for the business and the need to establish  robust governance and finance procedures” stated Anoji De Silva, the Chairperson of the WCIC.

On behalf of the organizing committee, the Co–Chairs, Nilani Seneviratne and Tusitha Kumarakulasingam, shared the following sentiments.“We are extremely excited to conduct this National initiative to honor , women entrepreneurs across the country. The momentum has been established and entrepreneurs eagerly await to be a part of this journey. We will be accepting applications under the categories – Start-Up, Micro, Small, Medium and Large. Each category will have a specified revenue for the year under review – 2023/2024. Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards will be presented for each category.

Being true to our impact as the National Entrepreneur Awards, we seek participation from regional women entrepreneurs, participants across the 9 provinces are expected to participate just like in the previous years. “Best of the Province” is awarded to the most outstanding of all the applications, from each province.

The women will also be considered for the coveted special awards – Young Woman Entrepreneur, Outstanding Start-Up, The Woman of Courage, The Most Outstanding Export Oriented Entrepreneur (Product and Services) and The Best of the SAARC Region, Digital Entrepreneur, Most Innovative Entrepreneur and The Social Entrepreneur for 2024.The ceremony will culminate with the selection of “THE WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR – 2024.”

“The application for the event can be downloaded from www.wcicsl.lk, or requested from the WCIC office (it would be sent to the interested applicants via email). The application should be stringently completed and submitted to the WCIC along with all the material required to substantiate the applicant’s story. Entries close on the 31st of October 2024” elaborated the co – chairs”

WCIC Prathibhabhisheka- Women Entrepreneur Awards 2024 will be powered by the Platinum Partner – AIA Insurance, Diamond & Banking Partner – DFCC ALOKA, Collaborative Partner – U S Agency for International Development (USAID) through the USAID CATALYZE Private Sector Development Activity, Gold Partners – McLarens Group and Sunquick Lanka Pvt Ltd, Silver Partner – Hayleys, Bronze Partner -Impra Teas, with Creative Partner – Triad,  and  Knowledge Partner – Ernst & Young . In the next few weeks, we hope to gather the support of more partners.

Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) is the National Chamber of Sri Lanka and the premier organization supporting women entrepreneurs and professional businesswomen. The membership is open to women who believe they can contribute to society as well as benefit from the many facilities the organization creates. WCIC Prathibhabhisheka is a flagship property, which aims to recognize and reward outstanding women entrepreneurs who have been resilient and contributed to economic growth.

Granting leave without loss pay to empioyees in both public and private sectors enabling them to cast vote

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SRI LANKA AIR FORCE BEECHCRAFT PARTICIPATES IN INDIA’S TARANG SHAKTHI EXERCISE

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The Sri Lanka Air Force Beechcraft aircraft is making a significant contribution to the inaugural edition of India’s biennial multinational air combat exercise, “TARANG SHAKTHI.” This prestigious event, which kicked off on 06th August , 2024, features a remarkable gathering of 150 aircraft from 11 countries, with an additional 18 nations observing.

The first phase of TARANG SHAKTHI was successfully conducted at Sulur Air Force Station, Tamil Nadu, India, from 6th to 14th August 2024. The second and final phase is currently underway at Jodhpur Air Force Station, Rajasthan, and will conclude on 14th September 2024. The Sri Lanka Air Force Beechcraft is among the 70-80 aircraft actively participating in each phase of this monumental exercise.

TARANG SHAKTHI stands as the largest international air exercise ever hosted by India, underscoring the country’s growing stature in global defence cooperation. The Sri Lanka Air Force’s participation in this event reflects its unwavering commitment to strengthening military ties with India and other international partners.

The Beechcraft’s involvement in TARANG SHAKTHI offers invaluable training opportunities for the Sri Lanka Air Force aircrew.

The 2024 Air Force Inter-Unit Culinary Competition concludes successfully.

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SLAF celebrated a remarkable showcase of culinary talent on 03 September 2024, as it hosted the inaugural Inter Unit Culinary Art Competition at SLAF Station Sigiriya. The event, graced by Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, highlighted the exceptional skills of SLAF servicemen and women in a range of culinary disciplines.

This competition was held under the guidance of the Commander of the Air Force and the close supervision of Director General Logistics, Air Vice Marshal Deepal Munasinghe and the competition was designed to uncover and showcase the culinary talents of SLAF personnel. Open to all servicemen, irrespective of their branch or trade, the competition adhered to the stringent guidelines of the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (WACS), ensuring a standard of excellence.

The event, which attracted around 128 SLAF competitor and 17 outside competitors, was divided into two categories: Professional and Apprentice. The Professional category featured external hoteliers and previous SLAF medal winners from past Culinary Art Food Expo competitions. Meanwhile, the Apprentice category was specifically tailored for service personnel who had not yet competed in such events. Competitors showcased their skills across three main categories: Art and Static Food Display, Live Cooking, and Bartending.

In a notable expansion of the competition’s scope, professionals from regional hotels were invited for the first time, bringing additional expertise and prestige to the event. The judging panel comprised esteemed culinary experts from Sri Lanka, adding to the event’s high profile.

Winners of the competition received medals and certificates recognizing their culinary excellence. They will also benefit from further training opportunities and a chance to represent the SLAF at the Culinary Arts Food Expo Competition 2025, organized by the Chef Guild of Sri Lanka.

The competition also underscores the vision of expanding the Hospitality Management School at SLAF Station Sigiriya. The proposed expansion aims to train younger generation aspiring to pursue careers in Hospitality Management, with the goal of awarding NVQ Level 4 certificates. This initiative represents a significant step toward realizing the objectives set forth by the Commander of the Air Force.

The Inter Unit Culinary Art Competition not only showcased the exceptional culinary skills of the SLAF but also marked a significant step forward in the broader vision of enhancing Hospitality Management training and opportunities in Sri Lanka.

The event was attended by the presence of distinguished guests including The event was attended by the presence of distinguished guests including Air Chief Air Marshal Udeni Rajapakse, Senior Officers of Air Force Headquarters, Chairman of the Chef Guild of Lanka.

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