Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has stressed that human capital development, lifelong learning and collaborative leadership are essential to achieving Sri Lanka’s long-term economic transformation.
Addressing the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Association of Human Resource Professionals (AHRP), the Prime Minister congratulated the organisation on reaching a significant milestone and commended its founders, past presidents, members and partners for their contribution to advancing the human resource profession in Sri Lanka over the past 25 years, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Reflecting on Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, Dr. Amarasuriya said the country has made encouraging progress in restoring confidence and strengthening institutions, but sustainable development requires a broader vision focused on competitiveness, innovation, productivity, environmental responsibility and inclusive growth.
She said Sri Lanka’s greatest competitive advantage lies not in its natural resources or financial capital, but in the knowledge, skills, creativity, resilience and ethical values of its people.
“The future strength of our economy will depend on what our people know, how they adapt, and how effectively they collaborate,” the Prime Minister said, emphasising that human resource development must remain a national priority.
Highlighting the Government’s commitment to strengthening education and workforce development, she called for closer alignment between education, vocational training, industry and employment needs.
The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of expanding digital literacy, technical education, lifelong learning opportunities and continuous reskilling and upskilling to prepare Sri Lanka’s workforce for rapidly evolving technologies and changing labour market demands.
She noted that building a future-ready workforce requires collective action involving the Government, educational institutions, employers, development partners, industry associations and civil society.
Recognising AHRP’s role in transforming human resource management from an administrative function into a strategic discipline, Dr. Amarasuriya praised the Association’s contribution to improving organisational performance, productivity and professional standards across the country.
Addressing HR professionals directly, she highlighted their growing responsibility in shaping organisational culture, nurturing leadership, promoting inclusion, supporting innovation, preserving trust and fairness and ensuring that technological advancement remains people-centred.
The Prime Minister said true organisational success should be measured not only by financial performance but also by the ability to develop people, embrace diversity, support employee wellbeing and create opportunities for individuals to realise their full potential.
She encouraged AHRP to continue strengthening professional standards, fostering dialogue between government, academia and industry and preparing Sri Lanka’s workforce for future opportunities and challenges.
Reaffirming the Government’s commitment to human capital development, Dr. Amarasuriya described it as “a shared national responsibility” and said Sri Lanka’s long-term success will ultimately be determined by the capabilities developed within its people.
She concluded by congratulating AHRP on its 25 years of service and expressing confidence that the Association would continue contributing to the development of a resilient, inclusive, innovative and prosperous Sri Lanka.