In this edition of Global CEO Magazine, we present a profound leadership conversation between Dr Samantha Ratnayake, Senior Lecturer at the Postgraduate Institute of Management, and Mr Aruna Jayasekara, Group Head of Human Resources at CIC Holdings PLC. With a career spanning law, marketing, human resources, and international sports officiating, Mr Jayasekara brings a unique blend of insight, discipline, and purpose to the leadership table.

Dr Samantha Ratnayake:
Welcome to this special leadership dialogue. Today, I’m honoured to sit down with a wonderful HR personality—Mr Aruna Jayasekara, Group Head of Human Resources at CIC Holdings PLC. Aruna, welcome to this discussion.

Aruna Jayasekara:
Thank you, Dr Samantha Ratnayake. I’m truly happy to be here with Global CEO Magazine.

Dr Ratnayake:
It’s good to connect after a while. On behalf of the magazine, I’ll be facilitating this conversation. Aruna, to begin with, let me acknowledge your exceptional HR value proposition. As a generalist and transformative leader in diverse industries, you bring rich elements to the leadership basket. Would you like to start by telling us a little about yourself?

Aruna Jayasekara:
Certainly. I studied at Royal College and originally wanted to become a doctor, but I missed the medical faculty by two marks. I had several options, but chose to enter the Faculty of Law at the University of Colombo. During university closures, I pursued marketing and earned qualifications from CIM (UK). That was the first shift—from bioscience to law and marketing.

I began my career in the public sector, then moved to Ansell, where I started as HR Manager and was later promoted to Regional HR Manager overseeing three countries. I’ve held leadership roles at Sampath Bank and Sri Lanka Telecom, and currently, I serve as Group Head of HR at CIC Holdings.

Alongside my professional journey, I’ve had a long sports career—captaining the University of Colombo rugby team, playing for CR&FC under-24s, and officiating as an international rugby referee for over 20 years. I now serve as a World Rugby Judicial Officer and was recently involved in the Sri Lanka–Korea match. In 2007, I was honoured with the Gold Medal for HR Professional of the Year by CIPM.

At the core, I believe my brand is about helping individuals, teams, and organisations grow.

Dr Ratnayake:
That’s a great start—truly rich leadership ingredients. Let’s take this to the next level. You often say that HRM is a leadership function, and leadership is an HR function. Could you elaborate on your leadership philosophy?

Aruna Jayasekara:
Yes, I believe it’s not about managing HR but leading HR. I’ve developed my own leadership model—what I call the Four “I”s + L model.
As leaders, we must:
• Inspire – through our values such as honesty, respect, and accountability.
• Influence – by building the right culture: disciplined, team-oriented, and performance-driven.
• Innovate – by creating a safe environment where it’s okay to challenge the process and take risks.
• Impact – by producing results without compromising on values or sustainability.
• And ultimately, Leave a Legacy – to be remembered for creating something lasting and meaningful.
I also emphasise creating a leadership culture at all levels, ensuring a sustainable and agile leadership pipeline.

Dr Ratnayake:
Four I’s to create Legacy—what a powerful framework. So you define leadership as more than performance—it’s about how we inspire, influence, innovate, and create sustainable impact. Would you say that results alone are not enough?

Aruna Jayasekara:
Exactly. Results matter, but how you achieve them matters more. A good leader takes accountability, especially in failure, and ensures that results are sustainable. Legacy is not only about metrics but also about values and the human impact you make.

Dr Ratnayake:
That connects well with our audience—CEOs and senior leaders. Could you unpack this idea of leadership legacy further?

Aruna Jayasekara:
Legacy begins with having the end in mind. As a CEO, ask yourself—how do you want to be remembered? Did you leave the organisation better than how you found it?
Having a successor shows confidence and vision. Legacy is about building others—not just yourself. Before becoming a CEO, you build yourself. After becoming one, you build others.
Also, legacy includes the decisions you make, especially difficult ones. People will remember whether your decisions were:
• Fact-based,
• Free from fear,
• Uninfluenced by personal gain, and
• Fair and unbiased.

Dr Ratnayake:
That’s profound. Leadership is tested in those high-stakes moments. Speaking of which—you have over two decades of experience in sports and refereeing. How has that shaped your leadership?

Aruna Jayasekara:
Sports instil discipline, confidence, and resilience—qualities directly transferable to corporate life. As a referee, the expectation is to be fair, consistent, and fearless.
You must make decisions without personal bias or fear of being disliked. That’s leadership. I’ve applied those same principles in my professional life.

Dr Ratnayake:
You once told me how arriving early for matches shaped your discipline. That stayed with me. Could you share that with our readers?

Aruna Jayasekara:
For over 20 years, I’ve officiated 600–700 matches. I always arrive at least 30 minutes early. That time allows for mental and physical preparation. Similarly, in the workplace, being early sets the tone for confidence, preparedness, and professionalism.

Dr Ratnayake:
Powerful lesson. Last-minute rushing doesn’t allow for impact. As we approach the end of this conversation, I want to touch on one of your most repeated themes: discovering ourselves to serve others. How do you see that as part of leadership?

Aruna Jayasekara:
Leadership is about repaying what you’ve received—from your parents, teachers, and community. True leadership is about service. As a leader, you influence lives. It’s your responsibility to give your best—your knowledge, experience, and heart—to help others grow. That’s how you build your legacy.

Dr Ratnayake:
What a meaningful way to conclude. But let me say—we’ll place a comma here, not a full stop. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your insights, Aruna. You’ve sparked ideas, reflections, and lessons for all of us. On behalf of Global CEO Magazine, I wish you the very best in all your current and future endeavours.