AHRP New Executive Team: Expanding vistas beyond profession and the nation

Association of HR Professionals EXCO members. Seated from left:  Dinusha Jayamanne – Vice President, Chinthaka Premaratne – Vice President, Oshana Dias - Vice President, Thushara Jayawardana - Vice President, Roshan Kulasuriya – Executive Vice President, Ishan Dantanarayana – President, Pradeepa Kekulawala – Immediate Past President, Chandana Wijayanama – Senior Vice President, Dilani Jayalath – Secretary and Sampath Alwis – Treasurer. Standing from left: Chethana Liyanage - Committee Member, Ransi Dharmasiriwardhana - Committee Member, Kaushal Mendis - Committee Member, Nuwan Jayaweera - Committee Member,  Dilrukshi Kurukulasuriya – Committee Member, Ravi Jayasekera – Assistant Treasurer, Isuru Gunasekera – Committee Member, Indrani Hissalle - Committee Member, Suresh Muttiah – Committee Member and Darshi Talpahewa – Committee Member

The new Executive Committee of the Association of HR Professionals (AHRP) was appointed recently at the Annual General Meeting of 2020. 

Led by the newly re-elected President Ishan Dantanarayana, the Executive Committee comprises highly experienced practicing HR Professionals representing leading corporates in Sri Lanka.

As the sole professional network of HR professionals in Sri Lanka, the Association of Human Resource Professionals has endeavoured to elevate and add tangible value to the field of Human Resources in the country for two decades. With significant contributions made to the HR fraternity through initiatives that promote global best practices within the country, AHRP has continuously strived to bring HR to the forefront and championed a culture of innovative thinking.

Over the years, AHRP’s efforts have included the successful launch of several programs to discuss topics that support the enhancement of employees’ skills, elevates the standards of the industry and endeavours for sustainable change through the avenue of policy making initiatives. 

With signature projects like the Sri Lanka HR Forum and HR Think Tank, AHRP has been able to provide a platform to discuss industry relevant topics in collaboration with global leaders in HR and Strategic Management such as the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Deloitte. The HR Think Tank, launched in 2019, has successfully conducted a series of HR Thought Leaders Connects with the aim of continuing its momentum going forward as well.

Adding to its rapidly growing portfolio, AHRP also holds the distinction of introducing the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) - the world’s largest body of HR professionals - to Sri Lanka, and together provides access to a globally recognised professional certification for HR practitioners in the country. 

AHRP also continue to organise the ‘HR Big Bus Tour’ which facilitates a knowledge-sharing platform for HR professionals on HR initiatives and best practices of leading Corporates in Sri Lanka. As such, the revamped ‘HR BBT 2.0’ and the ‘HR BBT - Virtual Ride’ (hosted online) addresses the increasing demand for such programs by the HR fraternity and business leaders.

With the aim of progressing the conversation on the future of HR, AHRP unveiled the ‘Virtual Bite-Size Learning’ sessions in March 2020 to engage in stimulating virtual discussions on the topics of HR Leadership, Training and Development, Working from Home, Mental Wellbeing, etc., with other HR professionals and industry specific experts from around the world. The line-up of sessions garnered countless positive comments from both local and international participants, reinforcing AHRP’s efforts towards effectively challenging and transforming conventional learning mechanisms of today’s workforce.  

As the only professional network for HR professionals, AHRP has witnessed an increasing representation from diverse industries since its inception. Continuing to expand its reach, AHRP invites HR professionals to join its growing network through a range of memberships, while welcoming Sri Lankan Corporates onboard through its Corporate Membership to support the progression of HR throughout the nation.