SL: HEADING TOWARDS BLEAK AND DISMAL FUTURE....!?!?

SL heading for bleak and dismal Future?

The Institute of management(IMSL) said tha the current scenario in Sri Lanka is bleak and dismal. During the past two to three decades, ethical standards, integrity and transparency, both in the public and some quarters of the private sector, and more so among parliamentarians and ministers, has rapidly deteriorated

President of the IMSL Anvor Dole made remarks to media at the launch of the IMSL membership benefits scheme “Some have even commented adversely on the judiciary. Bribery and corruption is rampant and has seeped into the very fabric of Sri Lankan society. However distasteful and unpalatable it may be, it must be admitted that bribery and corruption is the order of the day! But I believe that it takes two to tango. For every bribe-taker there has to be a giver, and in this light the private sector must take part of the blame. I may be saying something very controversial, but what has to be said must be said. It is bad and disheartening to note that little or no noise has been made by the different Chambers with regard to bribery and corruption. So much so that corrupt officials openly solicit a bribe.”” He said.

Mr. Dole further said that the recent landmark judgements by the Supreme Court on the ‘LMS-JKH’ affair, and the ruling against the former President in the ‘Waters Edge’ case, have done much to restore confidence in the ‘system’. It has demonstrated that at the end of the day, even the highest in the land, are finally accountable. It has certainly sent a powerful signal to all citizens of our country. Currently, good governance is conspicuous by its absence.

“We therefore as managers have a major role to play. The IMSL will strive to mould and fashion the thinking of managers, especially the younger generation, to maintain ethical standards, replicate ‘best practices’ and work towards a better corporate Sri Lanka.” President said

IMSL launched a new membership benefits scheme to its members. Under this programme its members will get access to a host of benefits and privileges with their IMSL membership card from many business establishments. The first card was presented to a distinguished and respected management personality in Sri Lanka - the Immediate Past President of Lions Clubs International and a former president of IMSL, Mr. Mahendra Amrasuriya. Mr. Malraj B. Kiriella, Honorary Secretary IMSL, who spearheaded this scheme, said “Our initiatives will raise the profile and image of IMSL members. Further, we are focusing on a concerted membership drive. We welcome new thinking. For the year 2008/09, we plan to spearhead initiatives that benefit our members who have reached the pinnacle of professional recognition in management. We are planning to offer further more benefits to our members”.

Mr. Kiriella who heads the IMSL committee on Image Building and Networking, further said that the IMSL had recently ‘re-branded’ itself, and launched a new logo and new corporate communication material . Talking on future plans he mentioned that IMSL is going to add new features to its premier communication tool, the website, www.imsl.lk focusing on many including IMSL members, academicians, professionals, businessmen, researchers, trainers, students and also the general public, in order to give them a broad understanding of “management”, which is identified as being important to the country . These new features will include an online discussion forum, focusing on a monthly live discussion on contemporary management issues, which will be conducted by a management expert, who would be giving the summing up and expert advice at the end of the session. Other new features include, an on-line course on basic management principles, which can be accessed by all and an Online Management Puzzle – an interactive monthly competition to make the subject of ‘management’ more interesting.

IMSL is currently a council member of the Asian Association of Management Organizations(AAMO), which is a partnership of National Management Organizations(NMO) in the Asian Region. IMSL, as the only recognized national Management body from Sri Lanka, hopes to be of more use to the AAMO membership in order to add to its stature and image.

The IMSL biennial National Management Conference (NMC) will also be held in the first quarter of 2009.
courtesy:dailymirror.lk