CIPM Sri Lanka celebrates 10th research symposium milestone with global participation

The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) Sri Lanka marked a significant milestone with the successful inauguration of its 10th CIPM International Research Symposium 2026, reaffirming the Institute’s commitment to advancing Human Resource Management (HRM) through research, innovation and professional collaboration.

Held under the theme “Elevating the Human Capital Equation: HRM in the Age of Transformation,” the symposium brought together academics, HR practitioners, researchers, policymakers, students and industry leaders from Sri Lanka and overseas to exchange knowledge and explore the future of people management in a rapidly changing world.

Addressing the gathering, CIPM Sri Lanka President Priyantha Ranasinghe reflected on the remarkable growth of the symposium since its inception. What began on a modest scale with only 35 research papers in 2015 has evolved into a recognised international research platform. This year, the symposium received 160 research paper submissions, with 138 papers accepted following a rigorous peer-review process.

These included 27 international research papers, highlighting the symposium’s growing global recognition and academic excellence.

The President noted that the symposium has become a vital platform for strengthening the research culture within Sri Lanka’s HR profession while bridging the gap between academia and industry. He emphasised that research-driven insights are essential for evidence-based decision-making and for fostering innovative HR practices that create sustainable value for organisations and society.

HR thought leader Senior Professor Ajantha Dharmasiri, in his keynote address, highlighted the importance of developing an HRM-focused research culture to effectively respond to the challenges of the BANI world, characterised by brittleness, anxiety, nonlinearity and incomprehensibility.

The symposium was chaired by Dr. Heather Fernando, Chairperson of the Research Symposium at CIPM Sri Lanka, who delivered the welcome address.

Highlighting the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of work, the President emphasised that HR professionals must move beyond traditional administrative roles and become strategic leaders who drive innovation, organisational resilience, ethical leadership and sustainable, human-centred growth.

While recognising the growing influence of artificial intelligence, digital transformation, sustainability, demographic changes and evolving workforce expectations, he stressed that empathy, integrity, fairness and human connection must remain at the core of the HR profession.

CIPM Sri Lanka also launched several important knowledge publications during the symposium, including commemorative volumes documenting the Institute’s research journey, a corporate HR case study publication and a special edition of the Journal of Human Resource Management Perspectives.

Sri Lanka Telecom was the Main Sponsor, Omega Line Group of Companies was the Gold Sponsor, while Varun Beverages Lanka (Pvt) Ltd was the Beverage Partner.

Picture: Chief Guest and CIPM President Priyantha Ranasinghe, Guest of Honour Prof. K. R. Sowmya, Keynote Speaker Senior Prof. Ajantha S. Dharmasiri, Chairperson of the Research Symposium Dr. Heather Fernando, Symposium Secretary Dr. Indika Kaluarachchige and Chief Executive Officer of CIPM U.A.C. Obeyesekere at the event.