Thursday Nov 28, 2024
Thursday Nov 28, 2024
Wednesday, 19 August 2015 00:56 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Sri Lanka Library Association (SLLA) is the only professional body in Sri Lanka for librarians and information professionals. Its mission is to act as the pivotal professional body for library and information services in the country by providing library education programs, setting professional standards, fostering co-operation among library professionals and those in the field, thereby being the forum for exchange of ideas among members of the SLLA.
Safeguarding and promoting the rights and privileges of librarians and information professionals and being at the forefront of the library services in the country are also a part of the SLLA activities. The Sri Lanka Library Association being a founder member of the Organisation of Professional Association (OPA) was enacted by Act No. 20 of 1974 and amended by the Act No. 7 of 2004.
On 26 June 2015 the Sri Lanka Library Association conducted its 55th Annual Sessions and the Annual General Meeting at the Sri Lanka Foundation, Colombo 7. After the formalities, the welcome address was delivered by the President, Shivanthi Weerasinghe. In her address she said that this 55th year was an important land mark of the Association’s journey that began in 1960 when a few professionals who earned their qualifications from abroad decided to form this entity, which later was established with legal status and passed by an Act in 1974 amended in 2004. She stated that ever since then it plays an important role in the library and information landscape. She mentioned that the LIS practices, education and status positions are changing due to the evolving nature of information with the rapid developments in Information Communication and Technology.
She emphasised that to face such a scenario the SLLA has worked towards future developments and has been engaged in professional activities to produce qualified and experienced Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals.
The Chief Guest at the occasion was Prof. SampathAmaratunge, Vice Chancellor, University of Sri Jayewardenepura and the Guest of Honour was Prof. Oliver Abeynayake, Chairman of the National Library and Documentation Services Board.
Speaking at the AGM Prof. Amaratunge stated: “As a professional community we have a lot to offer in services, be it for an individual, community or country.” He further specified that library and information services need to be geared towards innovative services while attending to improved infrastructure, to attract more and more readers in order to address the dwindling reading habits. Prof. Oliver Abeynayake emphasised: “Libraries should get involved in national development and as a profession librarianship should be able to contribute in the best way.” After the tea break the Annual General Meeting proceeded in accordance with the agenda.
The Annual General Meeting saw a renewal of the Council who would provide guidance and leadership to the forthcoming year. Further, issues on the membership and profession, progress made up to now and future plans of the SLLA were discussed among the membership present at the occasion. The Vote of Thanks was delivered by General Secretary Lilamani Amerasekera.
