Damayanthi Darsha – a Promising HR Professional

Sri Lanka’s star athlete Damayanthi Darsha speaks of her experience at the IPM

Damayanthi Darsha, one of the most celebrated track and field athletes in Sri Lanka, switched tracks in 2006 for a career in Human Resource Management. Currently Damayanthi is reading for a professional qualification in HR at the Institute of Personnel Management (IPM) whilst working as an HR Executive at a leading apparel manufacturing company.

Recalling her switch from being a professional athlete to a professional in HRM, Damayanthi explains that she gained the knowledge and theoretical aspects related to HRM through the HR Certificate Course conducted by the IPM. Having completed the certificate course in 2004, along with the practical experience gained through work, Damayanthi is currently reading for the Professional Qualification in Human Resource Management (PQHRM) at the IPM.

Damayanthi further elaborated that being very passionate about ‘people’ and ‘people management’, and the role she plays as a part of the HRM team that manages about 2200 factory workers, was a decisive factor that led to her continue her professional training in the chosen field. According to Damayanthi, being employed fulltime does not leave much time for attending lectures and sitting for exams, but the facilities and flexibility provided by the IPM makes it possible for a busy professional to pursue further studies.

Discussing the course work involved in the PQHRM, Damayanthi states that it provides an overall understanding of the key elements involved in good HR practices, and also addresses a wide range of organisational management skills which are essential for HR management. Damayanthi further explains that the combination of theoretical knowledge gained through the PQHRM course and the practical experience gained through employment has given her the confidence to implement good people management strategies at her place of work. Damayanthi’s life is not limited to work and studies. She is also a fulltime mother and wife. It is amazing, and inspiring, that the one-time track queen of Sri Lanka is also a modern-day woman who has gained success in every aspect of her life.

“IPM study programs are flexible and accommodate busy professionals…the institute affords all necessary facilities for

students”