IPM to steam ahead with new Executive Council

Seated from left: Vice President C. Gannile, Immediate Past President Rohitha Amarapala, Honorary Secretary Ken Vijayakumar, President Prof. Ajantha Dharmasiri, Honorary Asst. Secretary Wasanthi Vithanage, Honorary Editor Gp. Capt. Manoaj Keppetipola, Honorary Treasurer Ajith Bopitiya and Honorary Assistant Treasurer Major General (rtd.) Rohan Kaduwela. Standing from left: Council Members Aruna Jayasekera, Samitha Perera, Dr. Bhadra Arachchige, Jayantha Amarasinghe, Priyankara Seneviratne, Dhammika Fernando, G. Weerathunga, Gp. Captain (rtd.) Kumar Kirinde, Col. Saman Jayawickrama and Prasad Piyadigama

IPM Sri Lanka, the nation’s leader in human resources management, recently elected its new Executive Council for the year 2016/17, which comprises of highly respected professionals and industry experts in order to steam ahead with a new strategic plan to take HR in Sri Lanka to the next level. 
The IPM Sri Lanka Executive Council for the year 2016/17 is headed by renowned academic and HR professional Prof. Ajantha Dharmasiri - Director and Chairman of the Board of Management of the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM), University of Sri Jayewardenepura and is supported by a team of 17 highly qualified and experienced professional human resources specialists representing the private and public sectors and academia. 
“I am indeed happy and privileged to work with an Executive Council comprising of high-calibre HR professionals and academics, who are proven and respected leaders in their own entities as well as in the HR fraternity,” said Prof. Dharmasiri.
“We have a mandate from the over 1000 members of IPM Sri Lanka to chart a way forward to achieve the goals and objectives not only of IPM but also to chart a way forward to meet the aspirations of our community of over 7000 students and the aspirations of our country itself which is in a crucial juncture where a well thought out human capital strategy at a national level is required to help the nation reach its growth and development objectives. IPM will be actively engaged in this endeavour and will engage with other state and private sector organisations to realize these aspirations,” he added emphasizing the national level role that is expected of IPM Sri Lanka.
The Executive Council’s focus will be to precipitate a transformation in four key areas namely membership, faculty, staff and students in order to take IPM to the next level by enlarging the member-base with membership drives, upgrading the faculty and developing the member-base by providing opportunities for continuous development. These are some of the transformational initiatives that are being planned.
In addition to continuing and upgrading the curriculum of HR courses comprising of CCHRM (Certificate Course in Human Resources Management), FCHRM (Foundation Course in Human Resources Management) and PQHRM (Professional Qualification in Human Resources Management), which is its flagship course for human resources professionals, IPM will be offering degree level qualifications in collaboration with prestigious internationally recognized UK-based universities for which the discussions are already in progress. The ultimate objective would be to spread its wings to all corners of the Country and to expand to the region. 
Furthermore, in order to improve the IPM student’s employability factor and make them “corporate ready”, opportunities will be continuously provided to the students to engage and participate in organising actual projects such as the Battle of the Brains and other CSR activities. Furthermore, individual mentoring services will be provided to students with the involvement of the general membership in order to guide and advise the students on employment, skill development, etc. 
Executive Council 2016/17: President Prof. Ajantha Dharmasiri, Immediate Past President Rohitha Amarapala-Head of Human Resources, Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC, Vice President C. Gannile-Chief Officer-HR and Administration, Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Ltd, Hony. Secretary Ken Vijayakumar-CEO/Corporate Coach Talent Enrich (Pvt.) Ltd, Hony. Asst. Secretary Wasanthi Vithanage-Assistant Human Resources Manager South Asia Gateway Terminals (Pvt.) Ltd, Hony. Treasurer Ajith Bopitiya-Managing Partner and CEO-TRIKONSULT, Hony. Asst. Treasurer Major General (Retd.) Rohan Kaduwela-Director Personnel and Administration S-lon Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd, Hony. Editor Gp. Capt. Manoaj Keppetipola-Permanent Faculty/Directing Staff (AIR) II, Defence Services Command and Staff College and Council members G. Weerathunga-HR Consultant, Dr. Bhadra Arachchige-Senior Lecturer, Department of Human Resources Management, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Dhammika Fernando-General Manager, Tropical Findings (Pvt.) Ltd, Priyankara Seneviratne-Head of Human Resources and Administration, Millennium Development Ltd, Col. Saman Jayawickrama-Senior Staff Officer Sri Lanka Army Corps of Signals, Group Captain Kumar Kirinde (Retd.)-Group Manager Administration, WNS Global Services (Pvt.) Ltd, Aruna Jayasekera-Group Chief Human Resources Officer, Sampath Bank PLC, Samitha Perera-Director/Chief Executive Officer, CBL Foods International Ltd, Jayantha Amarasinghe-Deputy General Manager HR, Seylan Bank PLC, Prasad Piyadigama-Vice President HR, Holcim (Lanka) Ltd.