knowledge sharing Archives

March 21, 2024

Tuesday, 19^th March 2024 – Sysco LABS’ internal trainer pool was officially launched recently with the aim of harnessing internal talent for greater knowledge sharing. The initiative strengthens the organization’s peer learning culture which is designed to accelerate professional growth.

The inaugural batch of internal trainers comprises 19 dedicated Sysco LABS colleagues from various divisions who volunteered to participate. Colleagues experienced an extensive program which equipped them with the necessary skills to excel in their training roles, fostering a culture of colleague-centric learning.

September 19, 2022

Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) Sri Lanka concluded yet another knowledge sharing initiative by conducting a Lean Six Sigma training for its members in partnership with Advantis 3PL Plus, a subsidiary of Hayleys Advantis Limited. The full day workshop was attended by a large number of WISTA members and was held at the Taj Samudra Hotel on the 24th of August 2022.

The workshop was conducted by Ms. Nayani Rathnasiri, a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt holder, who obtained her certification from the ‘Dr. Mikel J Harry Six Sigma Management Institute’, Asia (Lean Six Sigma Asia) in 2021. She is a graduate of the University of Kelaniya and holds an MBA from the University of Bedfordshire.

Ms. Rathnasiri shared valuable content during the session, provided training, and inspired the audience. The session covered the fundamentals of six sigma, including the history of lean six sigma, the transformation of lean objectives, key principles of lean, waste identification, basics of problem-solving, lean supportive tools, and the pathway towards developing a lean mindset and behaviour.

The WISTA team, together with Ms. Rathnasiri, were able to customise the training to suit the needs of professionals in logistics, transportation and supply chain management with a few variations, equivalent to the Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification.

At the end of the programme, three winners were awarded scholarships to follow the Applied Lean Six Sigma Practitioner Certification Programme offered by the prestigious ‘Dr. Mikel J Harry Six Sigma Management Institute’ in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT) Sri Lanka. The scholarship recipients were Anjalika Perera of GAC Shipping Limited, Ann Nevatha Bernardsha of Maersk Lanka (pvt) Ltd and Arandani Amarasinghe of McLarens Group Management Limited.

This training provided a much-needed learning and development opportunity to the WISTA membership and was a first of its kind in the industry. Ms. Rathnasiri successfully navigated the training session, sharing a glimpse of the success story of Advantis 3PL Plus’ productivity initiatives and operational excellence through Lean Six Sigma, thereby offering value to customers with productivity enhancements and world-class 3PL services.

WISTA is powered by South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT) as the corporate partner. The Lean Six Sigma training programme was sponsored by Advantis 3PL Plus.

April 11, 2022

Seylan Bank, the Bank with a Heart, recently conducted a knowledge sharing programme for all its women employees. Dr. Linda Speldewinde, Founder and Chairperson – Design Corp Group of Companies and Dr. Lanka Jayasuriya-Dissanayake, Chairperson and Trustee – Indira Cancer Trust were the guest speakers at the event.

Speaking to the participants, Dr. Linda Speldewinde drew attention to the fact that gender equality and empowerment of women and girls have long been part of the development process of this country. She explained how the Design Group of Companies provides a platform to empower women in Sri Lanka to initiate innovative plans that will support them to sustain themselves in the current context and be economically successful. A visionary leader with global experience, Dr. Speldewinde looks to exchange new knowledge, with Academy of Design as a globally accessible learning center for design and innovation from South Asia.

Speaking on a different yet equally important topic, Dr. Lanka Jayasuriya-Dissanayake educated the attendees about prevention of cancer. “There are ample advocacy campaigns available for prevention of cancer, targeting healthy lifestyles, with clear messages about healthy diets, physical activities and mental exercises among others. Early detection of cancer is very much important for females, especially for the common cancers such as breast cancer,” she explained. Dr. Jayasuriya-Dissanayake currently serves as the Chairperson and Trustee of the Indira Cancer Trust, a non-governmental organization that supports patients with cancer and their families through over 20 projects.

The talks received positive feedback from the participants with the opportunity to raise concerns and discuss ways to overcome challenges in self-development and healthy living. Women empowerment is not a novel concept to Seylan Bank, which has been at the forefront in growing female leaders within its ranks since inception. The women employees of the Bank number at 45% currently, women also make up 27% percent of the Board of Directors and almost half of the board committees. In addition, 20 % out of the total staff cadre is managed and led by women. Seylan Bank was recognized as one of the Best Women Friendly Workplaces in Sri Lanka in 2021 by Great Place to Work, a testament to the culture of equality that is perpetuated in the Bank.

Appreciating the contribution of the women at the Bank during the event, Amanthi Motha, Chief HR Manager, Seylan Bank said, “Today we have empowered our Seylan female employees by putting them at the center of our decision making, planning and action, in order to entrust them with more responsibilities for the betterment of the future of the bank. Many of the ladies who have joined at entry level jobs, have successfully managed to climb up the ranks to management level positions. Even before ‘Equality’ and ‘Inclusivity’ became buzz words in the corporate sector, Seylan Bank had embodied this spirit since inception, and will continue to do so”.

October 1, 2021

Soon after Sri Lanka’s decision to ban synthetic fertilizers and other agrochemicals with immediate effect in view of achieving a healthy and sustainable nation, A. Baur & Co. (Pvt.) Ltd., widely known as Baurs, contracted a senior team of scientists and researchers from two world renowned research institutions in Switzerland specializing in organic agriculture who visited the country on a 10-day diverse study during early August.

This timely initiative, to assess the situation in Sri Lanka and provide solutions to manage the transition to organic farming, from Baurs was welcomed by various stakeholders in the industry including academics, research institutions, industry experts and related government heads.

During their visit, they observed numerous possible sources of organic waste that could be utilized for fertilization and was impressed by many activities and studies carried out in crop management and compost production which are however presently only at a niche, experimental stage, hinting that their large-scale implementation has a long way to go.

They encountered a set of complex issues, especially to do with the type of crop. Some crops such as spices or rubber for instance will relatively have an easy and quick growing in an organic system whereas crucial crops like rice and tea would experience more difficulty to adapt to a production system without usage of mineral fertilizers, citing particularly due to their high nitrogen demand, stressing that it is the fertilization of this element (N) that is the bottleneck in a system without synthetic fertilizers.

‘We are making great progress in taking the lead on putting together scientific and professional expertise and knowledge in the organic fertilizer challenge through meaningful strategic collaborations. There is a lot to expect in the coming weeks with this ongoing study and experts are convinced that if the transition is managed well it could open up sustainable prospects for the future of the country both ecologically and economically,’ said Rolf Blaser, Managing Director/CEO of A. Baur & Co. (Pvt.) Ltd.

The preliminary report findings also suggested steps in how to succeed in this ecological transition given the current situation in the country which requires immediate solutions, recommending that farmers must be provided with options for soil fertility management without synthetic fertilizers for the Maha season that is already underway.

Baurs Deputy MD/Director Agriculture Janaka Gunasekara said that ‘the findings stressed on the importance of managing the system change effectively without implementing too hastily as it could impose a higher risk of failure, suggesting a list of numerous accompanying measures to support farmers and producers during the transition, including prioritizing training and knowledge-sharing initiatives among farmers, which are more specific to the crop, location, and situation. The report also added that farmers be given reassurance of utmost support and clear direction without changing policies and rules time and time again.’

November 18, 2017

The on-going initiative of Commercial Bank of Ceylon to develop entrepreneurship in the Micro and SME sectors has benefitted the farmers of Kilinochchi by empowering them with information on best practices that make paddy cultivation profitable.

Commercial Bank’s Kilinochchi Branch with the assistance of the Bank’s Development Credit Department recently organised a multifaceted seminar for 154 members of the Farmers Association in the area in collaboration with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

The first of its kind in the district, the programme included segments on technical knowledge and skills related to paddy cultivation and post-harvest techniques, discussions on new agri machinery and equipment that reduce cultivation cost, and a session on how to attract the younger generation to actively participate in paddy cultivation; all conducted by two resource personnel from the Rice Research Station.

The main presentation on financial literacy was made by Mr B. Sivatheepan, the Kilinochchi Regional Manager of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Adding value to the experience of the participant farmers, officers of Commercial Bank’s Agriculture & Micro Finance Unit also made a presentation on the Bank’s many financial products and tools available for farmers to develop their agri businesses.

Commenting on the programme, Mr Delakshan Hettiarachchi, Assistant General Manager Personal Banking and SME said: “We look at this as an opportunity to not only create awareness about financial best practices in farming, but also as an opportunity to meet new micro entrepreneurs. Sri Lanka is an agricultural nation, and as the largest private bank in the country, we are proud to be associated with adding value to one of primary sectors that sustain the island.”

The participating farmers from Kandawalai, Periyakulam, Makilankadu, and D3 Panankandy farmers’ societies were hosted at the Kandawalai Maha Vidyalayam, Kandawalai, with Messrs B. Sivatheepan; S. Nirogen, Technical Officer and A. Ponnegipirenthirarajah, Research Officer from the Rice Research Station, Paranthan; Mohan Fernando, Senior Manager and Prasanna Jayamaha, Executive Officer Development Credit Department of the Commercial Bank gracing the event as guests of honour.

The Commercial Bank has been conducting similar programmes for entrepreneurs in many areas of the country. The Bank has to date conducted 62 such programmes which have benefited nearly 5,700 entrepreneurs. The Bank conducted similar programmes specifically designed for women entrepreneurs in Tissamaharama, Monaragala and Vavuniya, which were attended by over 380 participants.

These programmes are also supported by the bank’s 16 Agriculture & Micro Finance Units which play a key role in helping the Bank to identify specific needs of people who require assistance to develop either their agriculture activities or micro businesses, and are dedicated to promote agriculture lending and micro finance.

Commercial Bank’s Agriculture & Micro Finance Units are located in Ratnapura, Narammala, Kandy, Anuradhapura, Kilinochchi, Bandarawela, Wellawaya, Hingurakgoda, Galewela, Athchuvely, Vavuniya, Kattankudy, Tissamaharama, Neluwa Pottuvil and Akkaraipaththu

Promoting Peer-to-Peer Learning: Sysco LABS Introduces Internal Trainer Pool Initiative

WISTA partners with Advantis 3PL Plus to improve productivity and efficiency with Lean Six Sigma

Seylan Bank conducts knowledge sharing event for Women Employees

Baurs makes progressive efforts towards knowledge-sharing on organic-agri transition

Commercial Bank engages in knowledge sharing with Kilinochchi farmers