HRP concludes high-level seminar on leaders’ role in national crisis

• Keynote address delivered by Sri Lanka Army Commander, Lt. General Mahesh Senanayake
• National security and national economy of utmost priority moving forward
• HR professionals must focus on implementation of best practices in security 

Sri Lankan human resource professionals must take the lead in developing and executing corporate polices which prioritise security while effectively balancing organisational goals with the practical needs and emotional well-being of employees in order to facilitate a rapid economic recovery. 

These were among several vital and timely topics discussed in detail at the recently concluded seminar organised by the Association of HR Professionals (HRP) at BMICH along the theme: ‘People leaders’ role in a national crisis’. 

The event featured a keynote delivered by Sri Lanka Army Commander, Lt. General Mahesh Senanayake who laid out the most pressing challenges and priorities for Sri Lanka, particularly in terms of national security and macroeconomic challenges, before providing some much needed guidance and direction on strategies and policies that will need to be implemented in order to put Sri Lanka back on track.

In achieving this goal, he stressed on the vital need for company leaders to communicate effectively while making correct timely decisions, while remaining focused on motivating, supporting and encouraging employees to redouble their efforts in the face of adversity.   

Commander Senanayake’s keynote address was followed by a high powered panel discussion featuring some of Sri Lanka’s most respected HR leaders including Hayleys Group Head of Human Resources, Legal and Corporate Communications, Darshi Talpahewa, together with Brandix Group Chief People Officer Ishan Dantanarayna, Commercial Bank Deputy General Manger – HRM Isuru Thilakawardana, John Keells Holdings Executive Vice President and Head of Group HRM Isuru Gunasekera, BMICH Director/CEO Sunil Dissanayake, and Standard Chartered Bank Head of Human Resources Ransi Dharmasiriardhana. 

The panel discussion was also moderated by Union Bank of Colombo PLC Vice President HRM, Ravi Jayasekera. 

Commenting on the significance of the seminar, HRP President Ishan Dantanarayana said: “Our motherland today stands at a crossroads, and as an Association, we firmly believe that each Sri Lankan must do everything in their power to stand united and find ways for each of us to contribute by sharing their knowledge and expertise in order to support a speedy recovery. 

“One of our most pressing concerns facing corporates today is the question of how to act responsibly in this time of crisis. We therefore could not have a better resource than Commander Senanayake to lead this discussion forward, and we are deeply honoured and grateful for the absolutely critical points raised during his keynote. Moving forward, each of us as HR professionals must now re-evaluate our policies and protocols in order to ensure that our people are safe, and that our economy can continue to develop.” 

Established in the year 2000, The Association of Human Resource Professionals (HRP) is Sri Lanka’s only professional network of practicing HR professionals. The organisation was formed with a view to uplifting the standards of the HR profession in the country through timely interventions aimed at building knowledge and helping to shape a skilled workforce to power Sri Lanka’s future.