Beyond the Echo Chamber: Why diversity is Sri Lanka's ultimate strategic asset

In a nation standing at a crossroads of economic recovery and social reconciliation, the dialogue surrounding diversity and inclusion has never been more critical.

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Moving beyond its frequent characterization as a Western corporate buzzword, a recent high-level discussion framed diversity as a cornerstone for Sri Lanka's future prosperity and unity. The second day of the International HR Conference, hosted by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) Sri Lanka on June 3rd at the Monarch Imperial in Kotte, convened a powerhouse panel of business leaders to dissect the theme, “Diversity for Creativity: Strengthening Social Cohesion." The conversation that unfolded was a masterclass in shifting the narrative from diversity as a compliance metric to diversity as a strategic, nonnegotiable imperative for innovation and national healing.

The panel, expertly moderated by CIPM President and Siam City Cement Lanka's Chief People Officer, Priyantha Ranasinghe, featured a formidable lineup of minds: Rajendra Theagarajah, the astute Independent Non-Executive Chairman of First Capital Holdings PLC; Sabrina Esufally, the dynamic Managing Director of Hemas Consumer Brands; Tamali Rodrigo, Partner and Head of Restructuring and Corporate Governance at KPMG Sri Lanka & Maldives; and Shalin Balasuriya, the visionary Co-Founder and Group Director of Spa Ceylon Ayurveda Wellness. Together, they argued that for Sri Lanka to thrive, its boardrooms, product lines, and social fabric must begin to reflect the rich tapestry of its people.

The Unassailable Business Case: Diversity as a Performance Driver

Priyantha Ranasinghe initiated the discourse by acknowledging a crucial gap: while conversations around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are gaining traction in Sri Lanka, the nation's corporate sector lags significantly behind global benchmarks in implementation. He set a powerful tone, urging leaders to transcend performative gestures and embed DEI into the very DNA of their corporate strategy.