A letter to Duminda Hulangamuwa
I am writing to bring an important matter to your attention. I understand you have strongly supported Mr Anura Kumara Dissanayake both personally and through the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. In return, you have been appointed as his advisor. Therefore, I believe you are the perfect person to help resolve this matter.
You may have seen a news report about an unfortunate turn of events at the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation. Its newly appointed chairman has allegedly removed their DGM-HR, Mr Thilina Hiripitiya, for no just reason. As I understand, it is turning into a legal matter.
Let me explain why I am taking the trouble of writing this. I first met Thilina back in 2005-06 when he joined as a young HR Executive at a sister company where I worked as the Operations Manager. I noticed his pleasant attitude, hard work, and honesty, and thought that he would have a bright corporate career ahead.
Proving me right, Thilina has gone on to become a senior-level HR professional, working for some of the top enterprises both locally and internationally, while also gaining sound academic qualifications along the way. As a fellow corporate executive, I’m sure you value such high achievers among the majority of mediocre personnel in Sri Lanka.
Therefore, it was shocking for me to see this news report. I shall refrain from telling the story from Thilina’s perspective because I haven’t heard the chairman’s side. But I must say that the filthy language that has been used by the chairman brings shame to the corporate values which bodies such the the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce are espousing to. All I am saying is that Thilina is an honest professional. His corporate track record speaks for it. Honesty is one of the cornerstones of your president’s administration. Your president ran on the promise of eradicating corruption. But your political appointees seem to penalise the very people who can help you do that.
Mr. Hulangamuwa, you and I, as corporate sector professionals, know that the way to develop any organisation is to identify truly talented individuals and empower them to perform. That is the job of the leadership. A mature corporate leader will know the value of honest and driven staff members in his team.
I have always valued colleagues who had the knowledge and heart to challenge when the leadership is making a mistake. A leader must have the patience and humility to listen to his people. Having worked for the world’s largest cultural relations organisation for over seven years at a senior level, I have experienced how chairpersons and boards use livewires to drive change and innovation. It is disappointing to see your administration going in the opposite direction.
You have a responsibility to always advise the president to do the right thing. Therefore, I earnestly request you to look into this matter and act to set an example for all your political appointees. I understand that many of them do not have the corporate experience or the maturity required to lead large enterprises. However, with your experience at Ernst & Young, I am confident that you will be able to advise them on the basics of corporate governance.
May the Dharma Guide Your Way!
Eranda Ginige
7 January 2025
