The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) Sri Lanka is set to host the National HR Conference (NHRC) 2026 this October at Monarch Imperial under the theme ‘The Human Edge in the Age of AI’, with Hatton National Bank PLC serving as Lead Event Partner.
The conference comes at a time when artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming workplaces and reshaping the way organisations approach jobs, skills and workforce management. As businesses increasingly integrate AI into their operations, the role of human judgment and leadership is becoming an important part of navigating this transition.
According to projections by the World Economic Forum (WEF), AI is expected to create 170 million new roles during this decade while displacing more than 90 million existing roles. However, displaced workers do not automatically transition into the newly created positions, highlighting the importance of reskilling and workforce readiness.
This challenge sits at the centre of NHRC 2026, which focuses on the proposition that human intelligence should lead while AI supports execution. While AI can screen information and make recommendations at considerable speed, people remain responsible for guiding these systems and making decisions that carry ethical and human consequences.
With workforce-related AI applications increasingly subject to regulatory scrutiny and human oversight requirements in jurisdictions around the world, HR professionals are positioned to play an important role in ensuring that technology is deployed responsibly within organisations.
The conference will explore how this changing environment could allow HR professionals to move beyond administrative responsibilities and take a greater role in leadership, organisational culture, reskilling and employee wellbeing. WEF research has also identified skills gaps as a major barrier to organisational transformation, placing workforce readiness at the centre of successful AI adoption.
CIPM President and NHRC 2026 Technical Committee Chairman Dr. Neil Bogahalande said the central challenge ahead is not simply a competition between people and machines.
“It is between the organisations handing over their judgment to technology and those strengthening it. Our technical agenda gives the HR leaders practical tools, from governance frameworks to reskilling. If delegates leave with the confidence to say no to a machine when it matters, we have done our job,” he said.
The conference programme will feature a practical playbook from Prof. Harin Sellahewa, alongside sessions led by Shehara de Silva, Kul Mahay, Ranjan De Silva and Prof. Ajantha Dharmasiri.
Insights from Mercer will bring data-driven perspectives to the discussions, while the HR Heads Forum and Business Leaders Forum will examine Sri Lanka’s workforce realities, including talent flows and costs.
NHRC 2026 will also feature The Great HR Debate 2026, chaired by Shanaka Fernando and conducted in collaboration with Toastmasters International District 82. The British Council will serve as the Official Training and Assessment Partner. Fourteen corporate teams have been competing in the debate since August 11.
The National HR Exhibition 2026, led by Davina Kern, will provide a platform for showcasing innovations and developments across the HR sector.
CIPM CEO U.A.C. Obeyesekere expressed appreciation to the organisations supporting the conference, including Lead Event Partner Hatton National Bank and Strategic Partners Layup for e-learning, BIPO for technology and Wijeya Newspapers for print media.
The Official Partners include British Council for training and assessment, Jobdaddy.lk for hiring, Thyaga.lk for gifts and rewards, Asiri Hospital Holdings for healthcare, Brandix for global apparel solutions, PickMe for mobility and Monarch Imperial for hospitality.
Omega Line, Seylan Bank and David Peiris Motors are supporting the conference as Co-Sponsors.
Registrations for National HR Conference 2026 will open shortly. Delegates, sponsors and partner organisations can contact CIPM Sri Lanka for further information on participation and partnership opportunities.
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