Sri Lanka Human Capital Summit 2024 - Building a Future-Ready Workforce

On July 18th, 2024, Sri Lanka will host a significant event at the Temple Trees Auditorium, bringing together public and private sector leaders from various industries to address the urgent issue of developing the nation's human capital, for a future ready workforce, at the Sri Lanka Human Capital Summit (SLHCS) 2024. 

The event will be inaugurated by His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka, with a keynote address.  Additionally, prominent international figures will be present as guest keynote speakers and guests of honor. These include former Prime Minister of Australia Hon Scott Morrison, former President of the Maldives Hon Mohomed Nasheed, Dr Zambi Abdul Kadir (Minister of Higher Education, Malaysia), Roberta Malee Basset (Global Lead for Tertiary Education and Senior Education Specialist, World Bank), customer service expert Ron Koffman, Jonny C. Taylor Jr. (President and CEO of SHRM USA), Rajesh Nambiar (Chairman of NASSCOM), and Deepak Bagla (former MD and CEO of Invest India).

The Ministry of Investment Promotion together with the Board of Investment Sri Lanka, Colombo Port City Economic Commission, Port City Colombo, the Association of HR Professionals Sri Lanka, World bank, ADB, Deloitte, India CEO forum, the society for human resource development (SHRM – USA), KPMG Sri Lanka, Access Engineering, Commercial Bank and Daily FT, have come together to organize this very important “Sri Lanka Human Capital Summit 2024” look at future proofing our countries human capability needs. This SLHCS will be inaugurated by the President Hon Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has fully endorsed the direction of this summit and given his valuable input to gather all related stakeholders recognizing the importance of this summit. Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardana also will be in attendance.

Dinesh Weerakkody, Chairman of BOI, Colombo Port City Economic Commission, Employers' Federation, and Convener of the SLHCS steering committee, highlighted the summit's significance. Facing a talent shortage and brain drain, Sri Lanka must develop its human capital to move from a lower-middle to an upper-middle income level.

Building a Sustainable Future requires Sustainable growth, through more than fiscal policies and infrastructure investments. Sri Lanka needs a strategic focus on its people. The fourth industrial revolution necessitates inclusivity to achieve sustainable growth. Addressing technological disruption, environmental stewardship, and social equity is crucial. A resilient export economy is also essential for global market success.

Sri Lanka's Human Capital Index (HCI) has stagnated at 0.58 since 2012, indicating underutilization of national human potential. Urgent action is needed. The first SLHCS in 2016 sparked important discussions, and the 2024 Summit aims to turn these ideas into actionable plans.

The 2024 SLHCS, themed "Unlocking Sri Lanka's Economic Potential by Building a Future-Ready Global Talent Pool," will focus on nurturing and enhancing the country's human capital.

The Summit will feature specialized technical sessions for critical industry sectors. Sutheash Balasubramaniam and Chandi Dharmaratne, Co-chairs of the technical sessions, will curate a lineup of industry experts sharing valuable insights.

Five key pillars will be prioritized: Public Sector Capacity, Information Technology, Tourism, Financial Services, and Start-ups. Each pillar will feature a keynote speaker and a panel discussion on actionable strategies for building a future-ready global talent pool.

Building on Past Success of the 2016 Summit, SLHCS served as a catalyst for thought-provoking discussions and breakthrough ideas regarding human capital development. The 2024 SLHCS will build upon this legacy, aiming to translate those ideas into actionable strategies. The key Areas of Focus of the 2024 Summit panels will address three key areas Increasing the Talent Pipeline, Capability Development and Talent Retention Strategies.

Collaboration is Key in achieving these objectives requires a united effort from the government, private sector, professional bodies, education sector, and civil society. The Summit will provide a platform for local and international specialists to share experiences and offer recommendations for Sri Lanka's future workforce development.

The SLHCS 2024 aims to create a more productive, skills-rich future.