Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 2025 – Diyani Fernando has stepped into the role of Head of Human Resources at Olanka Travels, marking a return to the organization where she previously held key HR leadership roles. In her new capacity, she will lead the HR strategy, talent development, and organizational transformation initiatives for the travel and tourism company, supporting its continued expansion and employee-centric culture.
Prior to this appointment, Diyani worked at Sunshine Holdings PLC for approximately two and a half years, where she served in progressive leadership roles including Talent Acquisition Manager and Manager – HR Service Center & Talent Acquisition. During this period, she played a key role in strengthening the recruitment function, streamlining HR services, and enhancing supervisory capabilities.
Before Sunshine Holdings, Diyani was the Human Resources Manager at JAT Holdings PLC for over a year, where she contributed across diverse HR functions including talent management, employee engagement, payroll, and succession planning, driving improvements in workforce strategy and policy compliance.
Diyani also held a dual role at PwC Sri Lanka as a Human Resources Project Consultant, where she worked on HR transformation, strategic workforce planning, and policy development for close to two years. Notably, she has had prior stints at Olanka Travels as Human Resources Manager and Assistant Manager Human Resources, contributing significantly to the company’s HR foundation over a combined four-year period.
Earlier in her career, she worked with OpenArc Systems Management, MAS Holdings, and PwC Sri Lanka in various HR leadership and executive roles, gaining robust experience in performance management, onboarding, employee engagement, job evaluations, and CSR initiatives. Diyani began her professional journey in the communications and advertising space with Smart Media and Q&E Advertising.
She holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources Development from The University of Salford.
About Olanka Travels:
Olanka Travels is a part of the Olanka Group, a collective of companies specializing in the travel and leisure industry in Sri Lanka. The company is a leading wholesale inbound tour operator offering B2B travel solutions to overseas travel agents. With strong partnerships across the Sri Lankan hospitality sector, Olanka operates its own fleet of tour vehicles and works closely with top-rated hotels. Through its retail arm, Olanka Holidays, the group provides end-to-end travel services, combining local expertise with international standards to deliver exceptional travel experiences.
Read Also : When HR “Produces Nothing”: A Response to Jennifer Sey’s Anti-HR Vision
The Fine Balance: Navigating Work, Life, and Mental Wellbeing
Mind the Leadership Gap – From Learning to Real-World Impact
How the Adecco Group is empowering its employees for the future of work
