Thushari Perera
Director – Human Resources

Q: How do the recommendations provided by Great Place To Work in Sri Lanka align with your talent related strategies?

A: The recommendations reaffirm our core belief at AIA – that employees are our greatest asset. Their insights validate our commitment to cultivating a workplace built on trust, pride and purpose. These values are not simply strategic pillars; they are embedded in our culture.

We continue to prioritise holistic wellbeing – encompassing mental, social, physical, environmental and financial health. The emphasis on sustained investment in these areas aligns seamlessly with our efforts to enhance the employee experience and deliver on our promise of helping people live healthier, longer and better lives.

Great Place To Work in Sri Lanka’s call for greater inclusion and belonging aligns closely with our diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) road map. Through advancing gender equity and fostering multigenerational collaboration, we have built a workplace where every individual feels respected, valued and empowered.

Additionally, the focus on continuous learning and career development also resonates strongly with our strategic direction. Through future ready capability building, we are enabling meaningful growth opportunities that support individual aspirations and organisational success.

As has been the case annually, the survey’s recommendations strengthen the employee value proposition, reinforcing our position as an employer of choice.

Q: What lessons have you learned from participating in the Great Place To Work in Sri Lanka survey this year?

A: Participating in the survey has reinforced the importance of listening deeply to our people and acting on their feedback. It has validated our strategic focus areas – trust, wellbeing, inclusion and growth – and highlighted the impact of our ongoing initiatives.

The survey has also reminded us that employee experiences are dynamic. Continuous engagement, personalised support and inclusive practices are essential to maintaining a thriving workplace.

These insights guide us in refining our strategies and reaffirm our commitment to building a culture where employees feel proud, supported and inspired.

Q: How does your organisation strike a balance between business growth and human development?

A: Our people are at the heart of our success, and we invest in their development through integrated talent and capability building initiatives. At AIA, we view their development as a strategic enabler of sustainable business growth.

We embed structured learning pathways, leadership acceleration programmes and performance coaching into our business strategy to ensure that employees are equipped to meet evolving demands while advancing in their careers.

AIA’s high-performance culture is anchored in care and purpose. This means setting ambitious goals while supporting employees with tools, wellbeing initiatives and an inclusive environment that enables them to thrive.

Our approach to rewards, recognition and career progression is designed to align individual aspirations with organisational outcomes. By aligning personal growth opportunities with organisational goals, we create an ecosystem where people are motivated to succeed alongside the business.

Q: How does your organisation achieve a personalised and engaging employee experience?

A: At AIA, we believe that a personalised and engaging employee experience is fundamental to attracting, retaining and inspiring top talent. We actively listen to employees through engagement surveys, pulse checks and continuous feedback channels to understand their needs and expectations.

We tailor our initiatives across the employee journey – from onboarding and learning to wellbeing and recognition. Our LinkedIn Learning platform, wellness programmes and life stage based benefits are designed to support personal and professional growth.

Recognition is timely and meaningful, celebrating individual and team contributions in ways that resonate and reward. By placing employees at the heart of every decision, we foster a culture where they feel valued, empowered and connected to a larger purpose – driving engagement and long-term success.

“We offer tailored development pathways, mentorship programmes and leadership initiatives that support diverse talent and promote career progression”

Q: What is your organisation’s stance on promoting inclusive practices when it comes to hiring, motivating and retaining people?

A: At AIA, diversity, equity and inclusion is not merely a buzzword but a business imperative and a reflection of core values. We believe that when people feel safe, respected and empowered, they bring their best selves to work – unlocking the full potential of innovation, collaboration and performance.

This commitment to DEI spans across the employee life cycle. We ensure equitable access to opportunities through structured, bias free recruitment processes and outreach efforts that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. We recognise that individuals are driven by different needs and aspirations.

Our engagement and recognition programmes are designed to be inclusive and personalised, celebrating contributions in ways that resonate with each employee and fostering a strong sense of belonging.

We offer tailored development pathways, mentorship programmes, and leadership initiatives that support diverse talent and promote career progression. Our inclusive policies are designed to support employees in their unique journeys. Inclusion is not a one-time effort but a continuous commitment.

Through leadership accountability, unconscious bias training, employee resource groups and regular DEI audits, we cultivate a culture of awareness and action.

Moreover, our DEI strategy is closely aligned with our broader environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) commitments, reinforcing our role as a responsible employer and corporate citizen.

At AIA, DEI is not optional; it is foundational to building a workplace and a society we can all love and be proud of.

– Compiled by Nirmali Ameresekere

Telephone: 2310310 | Website: www.aialife.com.lk/en