CIPM Sri Lanka concluded the Great HR Debate 2025 on a high note last week, with DIMO PLC emerging as champions at the Grand Finale held on 2nd June 2025 at the Monarch Imperial. The event coincided with the inauguration of the National HR Conference (NHRC) 2025.

The final debate featured an intellectually charged face-off between DIMO PLC and Hemas Hospitals (Pvt) Ltd., centered on the motion: “Organizations should focus more on Financial Performance than Employee Development to support Nation-Building efforts in Sri Lanka.” Both teams delivered compelling arguments, but DIMO PLC secured the championship title with an articulate, well-reasoned, and impactful performance that earned the unanimous commendation of the judging panel.

This year’s debate marked a historic milestone for the competition, attracting a record 20 corporate teams from a wide range of industries. The 2025 edition unfolded over a five-week period of rigorous and engaging debates. A development in this year’s edition was the active involvement of line managers alongside HR professionals. This broader participation not only strengthened the HR-business partnership but also helped diffuse HR knowledge across functional boundaries—an encouraging sign for the future of people-centered leadership in Sri Lanka.

CIPM’s partnership with Toastmasters International (District 82) provided all participating teams with exclusive coaching in public speaking, persuasive communication, and leadership development. This initiative added significant value to the participants’ experience, with improved presentation skills and confidence clearly evident throughout the tournament.

Commenting on the success of the event, Priyantha Ranasinghe, President of CIPM Sri Lanka, said:

“The Great HR Debate continues to be a flagship platform for nurturing thought leadership in the HR profession. It is inspiring to witness the next generation of HR professionals engaging in complex, future-focused discourse with such confidence and clarity.”

Kanishka Ranaweera, Chairman of the Great HR Debate 2025 Committee, said: “What truly stood out this year was the level of preparation and maturity demonstrated by all teams. From the very first round, we saw tremendous growth in their confidence, articulation, and critical thinking.”

C. Hewapattini, the founder of the Great HR Debate, said: “When we initiated this platform in 2009, our goal was to create a space for HR professionals to debate, learn, and grow. Today, it has become a nationally recognized event that contributes meaningfully to the professional development of HR in Sri Lanka.”