PR his forte

by Lakmal Welabada

A small incident in his young days helped him to develop trust in people and today he is Niroshan Silva who is the President of the Association of Human Resource Professionals.

Modifying his credo in life to 'passion with action', the HR Manager has many things to say as he is not only heir cum Manager of a big family business, but also a HR trainer and consultant. "I love training and teaching people, and I enjoy working with people. Bringing out the spirit and the best out of people is a skill. Each person has a different inner power. It's the task of the HR Management to dig it out and give it to the world," he stresses.

Niroshan is the Director General Manager of the United Group of Companies and the Director Agro Sacks (Pvt) Ltd overseeing over all matters of the factory. Being the Managing Director of Training Consortium (Pvt) Ltd he is involved in training, consultancy and labour matter handling almost every leading group of companies and organisations all over the island including some in Dubai, the Maldives and Japan.

This includes his family business as well. Niroshan holds a Double Degree - Bachelor of Management and Bachelor of HR from the Charlessturd University in New South Wales, Australia. He did his MBA in UK.

"I am an old boy of S.Thomas' College Mount Lavinia," begins Niroshan. "I was not brilliant and was just an ordinary average child in my studies until up to grade 6 or 7. I didn't sound strong, and was more a musician than a sportsman being in the western band and drama. Yet school life was more than that. I boxed for College.

I did Putt Shot, Javelin and Discuss, but never excelled in any of them. Though I was unruly I was always loved by my teachers. That might have been due to my endless engagements in various clubs in the schools. There were two sets of students at school they were either into sports or clubs. But I somehow was able to balance both, I was also a scout leader and Prefect," says Niroshan.

Musically speaking, although he came from a musically talented family, he only took to drums. At Charlessturd University, Niroshan shone. At the welcome ceremony a foreign student was invited to a formal speech about life in Australia.

Niroshan was the one who was selected to represent the foreigners. He delivered the speech with aplomb and it was a passionate cry for love and support. He was appointed as the first Sri Lankan president of the International Club where they had more than 1500 members from all over the world. He was also elected the Academic Senate Representative of university of 35,000 students.

Simultaneously he was appointed to the Mayor's Committee as well. With all this he continued to play for a Jazz band. He cannot keep away from his drum.

He was rewarded for his exemplary service to students with the Chancellor's Award of Leadership in 1997. Niroshan returned to Sri Lanka in 1998, and took over his father's factory. His father did not allow him to take the top slot straightaway, instead he had to start as an executive working with machines and labourers.

'One have to earn love and respect of people to be able to lead them'. That was what his father wanted him to do. So he did, and ended up as the General Manager.

His father knew what was best for him. Even at a petrol shed he was listening to his son giving lengthy and friendly lectures to the man who pump oil. "Why not start delivering lectures in HR. You have the ability," he said. As a result, in the year 2000, the Training Consortium for Human Resources was started.

He has trained more than 65,000 employees of many levels, but mainly in executive grades.

He was the permanent consultant to Srilankan Airlines. He even provides voluntary consultation service to the three forces and the Police, although the Government sector rarely approach him.

Only a few of his acquaintances know that he is an NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programme) Trainers' certified licensed hypnotiser. He has studied Astrogy, Palmistry and many other subjects relevant to human life.

About his personal life, Niroshan says "I know how to enjoy life without messing it up. I am a clubbing type but I refrain from taking liquor. I am a racing driver but I am caution is my key word . I can even drape sarees better than my mom, but I remain silent.

As for finding a partner , he is looking for someone on the same intellectual plane.

You are involved in many associations including the Standing Committee of the University Grant Commission. What do you have to say at the conclusion?

Niroshan - Well, HR Management should be taught from the Kindergarten. Through that a child could learn the charismatic and diplomatic way of handling others with care and respect.