CIPM Sri Lanka, the Nation’s Leader in Human Resource Management, has appointed veteran HR professional, corporate leader and academic Dr. Neil Bogahalande as its President for the new term. The appointment was confirmed at the Institute’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 18th July 2026 at the Galadari Hotel, Colombo.
Dr. Bogahalande was invited by the outgoing Executive Council to assume the Presidency in recognition of his outstanding service to the Institute and significant contributions to the HR profession. Having served on the CIPM Executive Council in several leadership roles since 2006, he brings nearly two decades of institutional knowledge, strategic leadership and professional expertise.
A distinguished old boy of St. Anthony’s College Kandy, Dr Bogahalande began his career in the plantation sector before transitioning to Human Resource Management in 2000. Dr. Bogahalande has led HR functions at Browns Group PLC, Sampath Bank PLC, and Royal Ceramics Lanka PLC. He has also served as a Main Board Director of listed and unlisted companies for over fifteen years and has chaired two State-Owned Enterprises after approval by the Parliamentary Committee on High Posts.
Dr. Bogahalande holds a PhD in Management, is a Certified Management Accountant (Australia), and has completed an advanced programme in People Analytics and Data Science at the prestigious University of Cambridge, UK. An accomplished academic and researcher, he has published internationally, serves on the Expert Panel of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka, and has received several prestigious recognitions, including the World HRD Congress’ Pride of HR Profession Award and CIPM Sri Lanka’s Lifetime Gold Medal.
“I am honoured to assume the Presidency of CIPM Sri Lanka. As the nation’s leading professional body for Human Resource Management, we have a responsibility not only to develop world-class HR professionals but also to influence the future of work through thought leadership, innovation and ethical people practices. Together with our members, partners and stakeholders, I look forward to strengthening CIPM’s legacy while positioning Sri Lankan HR on the global stage,” said Dr. Neil Bogahalande, President of CIPM Sri Lanka.
Under Dr. Bogahalande’s leadership, CIPM Sri Lanka aims to strengthen professional excellence, foster innovation in people management, expand international collaborations, and develop future-ready HR professionals to meet the evolving needs of business and society.
