News
CIPM Sri Lanka hosts NHRC 2024 to navigate future of HR

The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) Sri Lanka hosted its flagship event, the National HR Conference (NHRC) 2024, recently at the Monarch Imperial in Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte. Themed “Navigating the HR Horizon,” the conference addressed critical issues facing Human Resources amidst post-pandemic challenges, economic volatility, and evolving employee expectations.
The conference began with a keynote address from Nick Jonsson, Co-founder and Managing Director of Executives’ Global Network (EGN), focusing on “Leading with Purpose and Authenticity”. Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Santosh Jha, the Chief Guest, highlighted the significance of the HR discipline and its future trajectory.
The sessions featured a diverse lineup of speakers including Dr. Tanvi Gautam, Senior Faculty and Program Director at Singapore Management University (Executive Development); Priyantha Ranasinghe, CIPM Vice President and Chief People Officer at Siam City Cement Lanka Ltd; Ken Vijayakumar, CIPM President and Senior General Manager – HR, Administration, Purchasing, and Sustainability at A. Baur & Company (Pvt) Ltd; Professor Emeritus Sarath Kotagama from the University of Colombo; Dr. Rohan Fernando, Executive Director – Plantations and Business Development at Aitken Spence PLC; Amanthi Perera, Head of Social Sustainability and General Manager Sustainable Business at MAS Holdings; Dhammika Fernando, CIPM past President and Director of Tropical Findings (Pvt) Ltd; Jehan Perinpanayagam, CEO at Infomate (Pvt) Ltd; Damitha Jayasinghe, Chief People Officer at 99x; Lydia Mascarenhas, Chief Human Resources Officer at PickMe; Davina Kern, Council Member of CIPM and Head of Group HR at David Pieris Holdings; Rosanna Flamer Caldera, Founder and Executive Director of Equal Ground; Isuru Gunasekera, Executive Vice President/Chief People Officer & Head of Sustainability, ERM & Group Initiatives at John Keells Holdings; Bani Chandrasena, President of Diversity Collective Lanka; Hiran Cooray, Chairman at Jetwing Symphony PLC; Dr. Samitha Perera, CIPM Past President and Director/CEO at Ceylon Biscuits Limited (Foods); Zahara Ansary, Country Manager at AICPA & CIMA for Sri Lanka and Maldives; Janaka Kumarasinghe, CIPM Past President and Senior Independent Director at Vallibel Finance PLC; and neurologist and author Dr. Sweta Adatia.
Latest News
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Latest News
Minister of Foreign Affairs pays his last respects to Pope Francis

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]
News
RW to visit CIABOC on Monday

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.
Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.
Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.
In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.
Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.
The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.
The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.
He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.
According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.
Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.
However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.
-
Features6 days ago
RuGoesWild: Taking science into the wild — and into the hearts of Sri Lankans
-
News5 days ago
Orders under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruptions Act No. 9 of 2023 for concurrence of parliament
-
Features7 days ago
New species of Bronzeback snake, discovered in Sri Lanka
-
News5 days ago
Prof. Rambukwella passes away
-
Business14 hours ago
Pick My Pet wins Best Pet Boarding and Grooming Facilitator award
-
News7 days ago
Photo of Sacred tooth relic: CID launches probe
-
Opinion6 days ago
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Policy amid Geopolitical Transformations: 1990-2024 – Part IX
-
Features7 days ago
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Policy amid Geopolitical Transformations: 1990-2024 – Part VIII