Sri Lanka Successfully Hosts the Second Expert Group Meeting and Workshop on the Draft HRD Implementation Plan for the BIMSTEC Region

Colombo, 16th july 2025 - Sri Lanka, as the Lead Country for the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) sector of the BIMSTEC region—comprising the subsectors of Technology, Health, and Human Resources Development (HRD)—successfully hosted the Second Expert Group Meeting of HRD Experts and the Workshop on the Draft HRD Implementation Plan.

The event was held on 16th July 2025 at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo and was organized by the National Human Resources Development Council (NHRDC) of Sri Lanka, the designated focal point for HRD in the BIMSTEC region. Delegates from all member countries participated in the event both in person and virtually.

The Workshop, facilitated by Dr. Chandra Embuldeniya, Team Lead representing the host country, aimed at refining and finalizing the Draft Implementation Plan for Human Resource Development across the region. The session fostered a collaborative atmosphere, with member states providing critical feedback and input.

The Second Expert Group Meeting was chaired by Mr. Thusitha P. Wanigasinghe, Chairman of the NHRDC and Head of the Sri Lankan Delegation, alongside Dr. A. Saj U. Mendis, Director of Science, Technology, and Innovation at the BIMSTEC Secretariat.

The meeting was attended by the following officials:

• Bangladesh: Mr. Md. Rajibul Alam, Deputy Director (Senior Assistant Secretary), National Skills Development Authority, Chief Adviser’s Office
• Bhutan: Mr. Sangay Dorji, Officiating Director, and Mr. Ugyen Namgyal, Programme Officer, Department of Workforce Planning and Skills Development, Ministry of Education and Skills Development
• India: Ms. Saumya Gupta, Joint Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education
• Nepal: Mr. Manish Kumar Das, Senior Inspector, and Ms. Gita Basyal, Mechanical Engineer, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
• Myanmar: Dr. Saw Kay Thwe Moe, Director, Department of Advanced Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology
• Sri Lanka: Dr. Chandra Embuldeniya, Team Lead, HRD, NHRDC; Mrs. Himali Athauda, Additional Secretary (Skills Sector Development), Ministry of Education; Mr. A. Lakkathas, Additional Secretary (Administration), Ministry of Science and Technology; Mr. Wasantha Gunarathna, Additional Secretary (Administration), Ministry of Education; Ms. Jayamali Dissanayake, Assistant Director (Multilateral)/Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ms. Kalani Dharmasena, Executive Assistant (Multilateral)/Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Thailand: Dr. Pranpreya Sriwannawit Lundberg, Director of International Policy Partnership, and Dr. Soontharee Namliwal, Senior Policy Specialist, Office of National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO)
• BIMSTEC Secretariat: Mr. Muhammad Estiak Hussain, Lead Specialist, Science, Technology and Innovation, BIMSTEC Secretariat, Dhaka, Bangladesh

The culmination of the meeting saw the finalization of the Draft HRD Implementation Plan. Member states reaffirmed their commitment to collectively implement the plan with a focus on regional collaboration, shared goals, and mutual development in the HRD sector.

The National Human Resources Development Council of Sri Lanka was honored to host this important event on behalf of the Lead Country and remains committed to advancing the BIMSTEC region’s vision for integrated human resource development.

NHRDC Convenes First Expert Committee Meeting on Identification of Human Capital Constraints in the Construction Sector

The National Human Resources Development Council (NHRDC) successfully convened the inaugural meeting of the Expert Committee on Identification of Human Capital Constraints in the Construction Sector, marking a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen workforce development in one of Sri Lanka’s most critical economic sectors.

The meeting was held on 7 April 2026 at the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, and brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from government institutions, industry associations, training and vocational education providers, and private sector organizations. The broad participation reflected the cross-cutting importance of addressing human capital challenges in the construction industry.

The construction industry, a key driver of national infrastructure development, is currently experiencing a range of human capital-related constraints. The Expert Committee highlighted several structural issues affecting sector performance and sustainability. Among the key concerns were persistent shortages of skilled and semi-skilled workers, which continue to cause delays in project implementation and increase operational costs. Participants also emphasized the growing gap between skills provided by education and training systems and those required by the industry. Another major concern raised was the ongoing migration of skilled workers to international labour markets, resulting in a significant loss of experienced personnel. The committee further noted that existing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes are not fully aligned with industry needs, limiting their effectiveness in producing job-ready graduates. In addition, low attractiveness of construction careers driven by challenging working conditions and social perceptions was identified as a barrier to attracting new entrants into the sector. Productivity levels were also found to lag behind regional benchmarks, raising concerns about long-term competitiveness.

In response to these challenges, the committee discussed a range of strategic interventions aimed at strengthening the sector’s human capital base. Key recommendations included enhancing the responsiveness of the TVET system to labour market demands and expanding public–private partnerships in skills development. Improving workplace conditions and introducing incentive mechanisms to retain skilled workers were also identified as priority areas. Participants stressed the importance of reducing outward migration by creating more attractive domestic employment opportunities. Furthermore, the development of a comprehensive Labour Market Information System was proposed as a critical reform to support evidence-based planning, forecasting, and policy formulation in the sector.

The meeting concluded with agreement on a set of immediate follow-up actions. The NHRDC Research Team will revise and refine the survey instruments and data collection tools based on expert feedback. These will be circulated for further review and finalization in the coming weeks.

This initiative reflects NHRDC’s ongoing commitment to strengthening human capital development through evidence-based and collaborative approaches. The outcomes of this expert consultation are expected to inform policy direction and contribute to improving workforce quality, productivity, and resilience in Sri Lanka’s construction sector.

By facilitating structured dialogue between key stakeholders, NHRDC aims to ensure that human capital development strategies are closely aligned with industry needs and national development priorities.