Original Coverage & Source Attribution: www.ft.lk
First row from left: Dr. CJ Meadows, Anish Lalchandani, Yohan Liyanage, Zu Hui Yap, Kaushal Mendis, Azadeh Entezami. Second row from left: Ruwindhu Peiris, Chethana Liyanage, Ruwani Alwishewa, Suresh Muttiah, Rukshan Salgado
Sentiva, an AI-native HR technology platform, will host Workforce Asia Summit 2026 on 4 November at The Forum, Cinnamon Life, Colombo.
It brings together CHROs, HR practitioners and business leaders to examine how organisations can build the workforce of tomorrow.
Workforce Asia Summit 2026 comes as organisations face shifting employee expectations, rapid advances in AI and fast-changing skill requirements. Its programme centres on talent management and skill-based organisations. It will cover workforce transformation, skills development, technology and leadership, with a focus on keeping people at the heart of progress.
Through keynote presentations, panel discussions and opportunities for professional engagement, participants will gain insights into the strategies and ideas influencing the future of organisations and their people. Overall, the summit will feature four Keynotes by local and global experts, each followed by an in-conversation session, two Interactive Sessions, a Leadership Panel where senior practitioners debate what great talent management looks like next, an Exhibitor Showcase with organisations bringing ideas, technology and innovation to the future of work together with networking opportunities throughout the day.
Sentiva Founder and CEO Yohan Liyanage said: “People’s capabilities often extend far beyond their job titles. We created Workforce Asia Summit to challenge how organisations recognise and develop that potential – and ask honestly where AI can help, where it falls short and what leaders need to rethink. The summit will explore the changing workforce landscape, emerging skills, talent management, technology and leadership.”
ARA Chief Executive Officer and MÕVA Managing Director Kaushal Mendis said:
“I’m delighted to be back in the HR space at Workforce Asia Summit 2026, looking forward to thought-provoking conversations about how we recognise potential, develop skills, and create opportunities for people to thrive.”
The keynote speakers at the summit include S P Jain School of Global Management- The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre Professor and Director Dr. CJ Meadows, A.P. Moller – Maersk Global Head of Talent Management and Author of ‘The Skills Advantage’ Anish Lalchandani, Sentiva Founder and CEO, Stanford GSB LEAD Distinguished Scholar and Forbes Technology Council Member Yohan Liyanage and Montfort Care Director, Strategy and Growth and Zu Hui Yap.
The leadership panel will feature, Grant Thornton Stax Partner Ruwindhu Peiris; Capital Maharaja Group Chief Talent Officer Chethana Liyanage, Coach Masters Academy Director of Professional Developmen Azadeh Entezami and Great Place to Work Sri Lanka Chief Operating Officer Ruwani Alwishewa. The panel will be moderated by ARA Chief Executive Officer and MÕVA Managing Director Kaushal Mendis.
The summit will also feature an Enterprise Case Study with Aitken Spence PLC Group Chief Human Resources Officer Suresh Muttiah and Sentiva Vice President – Head of Operations Rukshan Salgado. The session will offer a real-world perspective on using AI to manage talent acquisition at scale.
With the future of work already reshaping how organisations attract, develop and retain talent, Workforce Asia Summit 2026 invites leaders to move beyond simply anticipating change and begin considering the actions needed to build stronger, more adaptable workplaces. Further information about the summit, its program and registration is available at
www.workforceasiasummit.com.
