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The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka

“Change and make things happen while promoting just and ethical practices”

CMI, UK Sri Lanka Branch holds its 11th AGM
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The Chartered Management Institute UK Sri Lanka Branch held its 11th  Annual General Meeting  (AGM) recently at the Galadari Hotel,  with Mr Rohitha Mendis taking over the presidency for 2012,  The AGM was followed by cocktails,  and dinner amidst a large gathering of members and their guests.    His Excellency  John Rankin, the High Commissioner for UK in Sri Lanka, who is also the Patron of CMI Sri Lanka Branch graced this occasion as the Chief Guest.

Delivering an interesting speech, His Excellency  John Rankin indicated that he was happy to join this event for three reasons.  Firstly the link the CMI SL Branch represents between the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka, the Chartered Institutes in UK being special bodies, granted Royal Charters precisely because of the professional excellence that they embody.  He recognised with appreciation the significant role the Sri Lanka Branch plays in maintaining a common professional bond between UK and Sri Lanka,  describing it as something beyond that of a symbolic importance,  HE stressed on the significant recognition that companies in Sri Lanka having individuals with Chartered Manager status from CMI would gain over others when UK companies forge links with local business partners.

“In finding a way through the choppy waters of change, Managers need to provide clear purpose and direction, communicate effectively with their staff and customers, think and act strategically, manage the growing flow of information and knowledge, and use their resources – both human and financial – in the most effective way possible.  Those are all skills that the Chartered Management Institute promotes and helps its members to develop, and those skills are more in demand now than ever before.  If I were a company CEO looking to hire a Manager, I would look for a member of the CMI” said HE the British High Commissioner.

Quoting the late Indian premier, Indira Ghandhi who once said that there are two groups of people in the world: those who make things happen, and those who claim the credit for it and recommended membership of the first group, in which there was less competition for places the British High Commssioner said the same wish to make things happen is embodied in the requirements for CMI membership
The newly elected President of CMI Sri Lanka Branch Mr. Rohitha Mendis in his speech stressed that CMI could take the message of Professionalism and Corporate Governance to every  functional area and not just within the Management function. He added that it should be a Holistic approach, involving all, spreading across all functional areas and running through the lateral and vertical layers of the organizational structure.

He further said that “ we are in a challenging time. Now more than ever, for our country economically, socially and politically. Management and leadership is critical.  These challenges demand a radical new approach, a Paradigm Shift to management styles and what managers do and contribute to the society. Inculcating values such as Integrity, respect for self and others, Responsibility, Building trust, and engaging employees, empowering them by promoting Integral development of the individual fostering innovation, reducing the environmental impact and most importantly promoting just and ethical practices.”

Mr Mendis added that he  has a strong belief that such basic values are the corner-stones of the highest standards of Management professionalism and hence, the need to shift from a Performance driven culture to a Value driven Management Culture.
The new Executive Committee of CMI Sri Lanka Branch for 2012/13, that was elected unanimously at this 11th AGM comprises of Mr. Rohitha Mendis FCMI as President, Mr. Varuna Ratnaweera FCMI and Mr. Sunimal Weerasooriya FCMI as 1st Vice President and 2nd Vice President respectively.

Mr. Malraj B. Kiriella FCMI will continue as Honorary Secretary while Mr. K. Dharmasena FCMI was appointed as the new Treasurer. The other office bearers elected at this meeting were Mr. Ajantha Jayawardane FCMI (Assistant Secretary) and Mr. M.M.S. Quvylidh FCMI (Assistant Treasurer) while Mr Murali Prakash FCMI, Mr. Chinthana  Jayasekara MCMI, Mr. Shakila Wijewardane MCMI,  Dr. S. Udayakumar FCMI, Mr. C. Gannile FCMI, Mr. Trevor Mendis FCMI , Mr. V.M.B. Ratnayake FCMI and Mr. G.S. Jayasinghe MCMI were elected as the rest of the Executive committee members.
Issued by Chartered Management Institute Sri Lanka Branch

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