TMC Jaffna arrival delayed by COVID-19

In 1861, Charles Dickens’ ‘Great Expectations’ reflected that moral themes of affection, loyalty and conscience are more important than social advancement, wealth and class. Had he lived long enough, he would have seen his prophecy revisited in 2020/21. 

The COVID-19 pandemic is perhaps, one of the biggest challenges ever faced by humanity and Sri Lanka is no different to be spared by the catastrophe. It has been observed, the unprecedented disruptions of COVID-19 are causing a geopolitical reset and as the global order in trade and commerce are redrawn, small emerging market economies like our country are vulnerable to the fallout.  

In the light if this existential reality, let us take a walk back to the year 2002. The Management Club (TMC) was inaugurated in Colombo, to address some of the weaknesses encountered by professional managers who needed to develop their personalities, work ethics and leadership skills through constant interaction with those who excelled in their own fields and in other disciplines, to emerge as good managers. We have come a long way since inception with 500 plus members with five branch offices covering the Western Province. TMC is proud to have conducted more than 2,500 programs and events for the members and business community.

TMC senior members and the Board of Management very clearly identified a significant demand in Jaffna from both the public and private sector, towards upskilling human resource to optimise the opportunities arising from the many initiatives taken by the Government and the private sector. Under such circumstances, both professional skills and soft skills will become imperative with regard to execution of their set goals and objectives. While the universities and professional educational institutions look after the former, the nurturing and enhancement of the soft skill development should neither be left in the lurch nor ignored. This is where TMC is taking the initiative of going to Jaffna to contribute towards filling the gap, in conjunction with its objectives.

However, we also should take into consideration that the economic burden induced by the pandemic is not borne evenly. It is critical to protect the poorest and the most vulnerable from falling into greater hardships. This requires efforts to regularly monitor the impact of the crisis on firms and the labour market in order to support timely interventions. While the SMEs are struggling to survive the crisis situation, the corporates are pooling their resources, not on expansion, but to consolidate their existing business from sliding into decay. 

Social distancing, self-isolation and quarantine are still in force. Crowd gathering is not yet been seen as a welcome move by both the Government and by the medical fraternity. Hence, TMC is reluctantly compelled to re-strategise its move in opening its new Club in Jaffna. Conducting HR development programs, seminars and workshops in the current environmental context is a big challenge and exposes the society at large to a very vulnerable situation. Therefore, TMC is awaiting the opportune moment in time in the near future to make its move to Jaffna.

Many readers and observers might recall that The Board of Management of TMC made a formal visit to Jaffna in the month of October 2020 and discussed with some of the potential future members who will form the core of the membership and the response was quite overwhelming. Further, one of the leading hotels in Jaffna has agreed to house the TMC Jaffna secretariat at their premises. Unfortunately, the current COVID-19 lockdown situation has significantly curtailed the progress, momentum and the progressive activities of opening of the Jaffna branch. However, the Board of Management of TMC is very hopeful to launch the Jaffna operations in the near future subject to the improvement of the restrictions and conditions currently prevailing in the country.