Silent crisis in Sri Lankan workplaces

WHY MENTAL HEALTH IS NOW A BUSINESS IMPERATIVE

- By RUKAIYA RIZA

As Sri Lanka’s corporate sector recalibrates after the pandemic, companies are racing to adapt to digital change and build resilience.

But while managements talk innovation, agility and transformation, a quieter crisis is unfolding behind office doors, one that could undermine every productivity gain: mental health.

For decades, it was the unspoken subject in boardrooms. Today, psychiatrists and psychologists are warning that mental wellbeing is no longer a personal concern; it's a business issue with real costs in absenteeism, disengagement and turnover.

“Mental health is the number one reason people skip work,” said Dr. Ganesan, a senior consultant psychiatrist with over 30 years of experience.

“When psychological problems or disorders are left unattended, productivity drops. That directly affects performance in every sector.”

He pointed to a pattern that runs deeper than individual burnout. Absenteeism, loss of concentration and chronic stress, he said, are symptoms of outdated management thinking, rigid work cultures, hierarchical leadership and a lack of emotional intelligence.

“Many Sri Lankan companies are still run by managers from an older generation who believe tough talk drives results,” he noted.

“But for today’s workforce, that approach often fuels fear and disengagement. The world has changed. Leadership needs to change with it.”

Across industries, from technology to healthcare to education, signs of strain are surfacing.

“The IT and BPO sectors experience high stress from night shifts and isolation. Healthcare workers, especially nurses, face emotional exhaustion. Teachers struggle under performance pressure and unrealistic expectations,” Dr. Ganesan said.