The Association of Human Resource Professionals (AHRP), in
partnership with the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Platinum
Sponsor ZingHR, recently concluded its Human Resource Think Tank (HRTT) series for the
4th consecutive year. The event provided a platform for industry leaders to discuss and
discover solutions to challenges faced by the HR fraternity, standing as a testament to
AHRP’s objective to uplift the skills and standards of the HR profession in Sri Lanka.
Held under the timely theme “Creating Future-Proof Organisations: Focusing on Engaging &
Retaining Talent in A Volatile Environment’, the forum attracted over 130 HR and business
professionals which featured guest speakers Achal Khanna, Chief Executive Officer of
SHRM India, APAC & MENA; Prasad Rajappan, Founder & Managing Director of Zing HR
and other industry experts.
The event also hosted an informative and insightful panel discussion on ‘Transforming the
Leaders We Have into Leaders We Need’, which harnessed the collective thinking of various
business leaders as they discussed critical shifts in leadership styles, trust and diversity.
At the forum, AHRP President Roshan Kulasuriya stated, “AHRP was formed to boost the
capabilities of the HR community in Sri Lanka, and our role is to harness the intellectual
capacity and expertise of industry professionals to uplift our nation as a whole. The HR Think
Tank series has been a resounding success. We are confident that the insights and
recommendations from the event will help elevate the current standards of the HR profession
in Sri Lanka.”
Sharing valued business insights during the panel discussion, Melanie Kanaka, CIMA
President and Head of Finance and Administration for the World Bank Sri Lanka and
Maldives, addressed the audience on the importance of leadership roles in building an
inclusive and diverse talent pool. Meanwhile, Kasturi Chellarajah Wilson, Group Chief
Executive Officer of Hemas Holdings, highlighted the personal life lessons that factor into a
long-range leadership development strategy. Arjuna Sirinanda, Managing Director, Fortude
and Board Member, Brandix Apparel identified key aspects in hiring and identifying leaders
within the industry while engaging and retaining talent. Nayana Mawilmada, President, John
Keells Property Group and Ananya Sabharwal, Director – HR, Unilever Sri Lanka, discussed
how business leaders need to take ownership of building the next generation of leaders, by
engaging with them and preparing them for new challenges.
Since its inception in 2019, the AHRP HR Think Tank has evolved, with enriched content,
and diverse participation representing multiple industries and sectors. The HR Think Tank
serves today as a platform to share expert knowledge, enabling cross-pollination of ideas, and
stands as the only established HR Think Tank in the country.
“This year’s HRTT saw the participation of over 70 companies and 130 leaders, who have
come together to share best practices and facilitate meaningful, open discussions on pertinent
topics. The future is dynamic, and we can only transcend industry norms by leveraging the
wide-ranging experience from the past to keep the learning, partnership and transformation
alive,” stated AHRP EXCO member and Vice President – External Alliances Oshana Dias.
The occasion also commemorated the launch of ZingHR in Sri Lanka. This cloud-based
HCM platform provides the right technological solutions to help companies align their
organizational aspirations and make well-informed decisions based on insights.
Furthermore, AHRP exclusively launched their white paper, an amalgamation of inputs from
thought leaders such as SHRM, speakers and panelists from the series of knowledge-sharing
sessions. The event was well-received by attendees and served as a valuable networking
opportunity for HR and business professionals to connect with peers, share experiences and
gain insights into best practices which will further transform the HR landscape in Sri Lanka.
The event, held at the Courtyard by Marriott Colombo, was supported by several local and
global sponsors, including Platinum Sponsor Zing HR, Exclusive Strategic Partner Sysco
Labs Sri Lanka, Online Employee Rewards Partner Daraz and corporate partners Fortude,
Singer Sri Lanka, Brandix, John Keells Holdings, Hemas Holdings, Unilever Sri Lanka,
CIMA, Navesta, Kincentric, Douglas and Sons, Sunshine Holdings, LOLC, MillenniumIT
ESP, Mercer, Insee Cement, Gamma Pizzakraft Lanka, IFS, UpRight, Sandbox, Coach
Masters Academy and Popcorn Teams.
