Chamira Suraweera: The HR Alchemist Charting Unconventional Paths

In the vast universe of Human Resources, where policies and people converge, one name that stands out with a unique flair is Chamira Suraweera. Now at the helm of HR at SPAR Sri Lanka, Chamira’s journey is a fascinating odyssey through industries, challenges, and a fair share of unexpected turns. If you are thinking this is your typical corporate story, think again. This is about a man who navigates the HR seas with a compass that points to both innovation and empathy, and who’s got a few tales to tell..

The Accidental HR Enthusiast

Let’s rewind to the start—when Chamira had just finished his A-levels and, like many of us, wasn’t exactly sure what the next step should be. His first job at Standard Chartered Bank wasn’t driven by passion but by practicality. It was a gig—one to get him started. But as fate would have it, this “just a job” became the catalyst for what would become a lifelong passion. Thanks to a serendipitous encounter with whom Chamira still holds in high regard, the seed for a career in HR was planted.

From there, it wasn’t a straight path to HR stardom. Chamira dipped his toes into a variety of waters—starting with Brandix, one of Sri Lanka’s powerhouses in apparel manufacturing. Here, amidst the hum of sewing machines and the complex dance of supply chains, Chamira began to see the human side of business. But this was just the beginning.

Next up was Next Sourcing, another behemoth in the apparel sector, followed by a switch to Nestlé Lanka, Reckitt Benckiser then Ceylon Tobacco Company. This was where Chamira really honed his skills in managing diverse workforces and aligning HR strategies with business goals.

But it wasn’t long before tech called him, and Chamira found himself at Virtusa, Fortude, and Zone 24×7 where he climbed the HR ladder to the top, becoming the Global Head of HR. This role took him across borders—figuratively and literally—giving him a global perspective that would later prove invaluable.

Talk about a gear shift—from threads and textiles to code and software! But Chamira handled it with the finesse of a seasoned DJ, seamlessly transitioning from one beat to another.

And just when you think the story might plateau, Chamira took another leap—this time into the retail world at SPAR Sri Lanka. It’s a world where the stakes are high, the competition is fierce, and the workforce is as diverse as it gets. But Chamira thrives on challenge, and here he is today, leading SPAR Sri Lanka’s HR efforts with a mix of strategic insight and hands-on experience.

Hands-On Approach

Chamira isn’t one to sit behind a desk and dictate policies. He believes that HR is the pulse of the company, the department that needs to be closest to the business.

HR professionals must understand why the business exists,

Chamira insists. And it’s not just about understanding it themselves—it’s about making sure every employee gets it too.

At SPAR Sri Lanka, this philosophy translates into HR strategies that aren’t just aligned with the business but are a driving force behind it. Chamira has a knack for making HR not just a support function but a critical player in the company’s success. It’s about knowing your people, knowing your business, and knowing how to bring the two together in a way that benefits both.

Of course, no discussion about HR today would be complete without talking about the elephant in the room: the economic downturn. Sri Lanka, like many countries, has been hit hard, and the impact on businesses—and employees—has been profound. But where some see only challenges, Chamira sees opportunities.

Talent acquisition and retention have become the battlegrounds in this tough economy. With many employees looking for opportunities abroad, Chamira’s approach is refreshingly straightforward: honesty and transparency.

If we are sincere and show them that we see a future for them here, they are more likely to stay,

he says with conviction. It’s not just about keeping the best talent; it’s about showing them that they’re valued and that there’s a future worth sticking around for.

And then there’s the support system Chamira has put in place for SPAR employees. From loans and insurance to a work-life balance that’s more than just a buzzword, Chamira’s HR strategies are as much about supporting employees’ personal lives as they are about driving business success.

The Unlearning Advocate

Chamira is the first to admit that the world of HR is constantly changing, and if you are not evolving, you are falling behind. The COVID-19 pandemic was a perfect example of this. Overnight, the way we worked, communicated, and even thought about work changed. For Chamira, this was a wake-up call for HR professionals everywhere. “We had to adapt overnight, and those who could unlearn and relearn thrived,” he reflects.

Looking to the future, Chamira is particularly excited about digital transformation. But it’s not just about adopting new technologies; it’s about understanding them, knowing how they fit into the business, and using them to drive success. “Every HR person needs to know how everything fits together,” he emphasizes. It’s this holistic view that Chamira believes will set the next generation of HR professionals apart.

When you ask Chamira what advice he would give to up-and-coming HR professionals, his answer is both humble and profound. “Balance your qualifications with hands-on experience,” he says. It’s not just about having a degree; it’s about getting your hands dirty, understanding the nuts and bolts of the business, and leading from the front”.

He also encourages young professionals to embrace the idea of unlearning. “The illiterates of the 21st century won’t be those who can’t read and write,” he says, quoting Alvin Toffler, “but those who can’t learn, unlearn, and relearn.” It’s this mindset that has allowed Chamira to navigate his diverse career so successfully, and it’s one he believes is essential for anyone looking to make their mark in HR.