AHRP concludes grand finale of groundbreaking and much-awaited HR Think Tank series

Colombo: 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.