HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) and its fully-owned subsidiary HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI), have been having steady year-on-year growth while the business remains dynamic and resilient. Over time, both companies' productivity plateaued, and several waste types were identified by dissecting the processes. With the growing intensity of competition, in 2019, the companies partnered with Dr Mikel J Harry Six Sigma Management Institute Asia to focus on standardization, quality & efficiency improvement, cost reduction, reducing process variation and enhancing process control. Even though Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is not a new concept, it is all about doing more with less. As of date, HNBA & HNBGI have more than 50 Black belt and Green belt LSS practitioners across all divisions of both organizations. Both companies reaffirmed their commitment towards inculcating a lean culture with a recent batch of employees successfully graduating last September 2022, having completed the Green and Black Belt program. Upon successfully completing the course, nominated staff members to undertake a real-life project with the guidance of an SSMI Master Black Belt. Dinesh Yogaratnam, Chief Marketing & Customer Experience Officer stated, "as organizations grow, they may carry with them processes and procedures implemented in the past, which may not add value in the present day. This program has given both organizations the necessary teeth in terms of trained staff who are able to deep dive into processes and improve efficiencies by way of removing nonvalue-adding activities". He also emphasized the importance of a learning culture in the organization so that by understanding and appreciating the potency of concepts such as Lean Six Sigma could inculcate it at all levels in the Company and this change in mindset would contribute towards superior financial performance that ultimately improves the bottom line of the organisation. He thanked Mr Dumidu Ranaweera -Global Director APAC, Middle East, Oceania, Africa & Canada of Dr Mikel J. Harry Six Sigma Management Institute Asia for all the support that has been given in terms of training and guiding the team. Geethani Saram, Head of Business Process Excellence & Procurement of HNBA, reflecting on what LSS revealed, stated that she believes corporates should draw attention to a few critical observations while analyzing the impact of Lean Six Sigma in an organization. Further elaborating, Different LSS tools will deliver different results based on situations and their application. As an organization, we focused on the overall process of providing value to our end customers. The culture for problem identification, rectification and error-proofing enables logical problem-solving, adding value throughout the process. Driving value-added activities permitted us to reduce costs and improve throughput time. We aimed to enhance the knowledge of all our employees, aiding them in selecting the appropriate LSS tools for operational problem-solving. And encouraging employees to become change agents who deliver resounding customer convenience eliminating waste in our processes. Hazana Caffoor, Senior Manager R&D and Process Re-Engineering of HNBGI, mentioned that LSS is a fundamental transformation in the thinking and behavioural patterns rather than applying changes in the process. The systematic elimination of waste creates a positive contribution towards working capital management. After I saw the potential and usefulness of LSS to myself, I made an effort to manifest it in the minds of our people as I saw many opportunities for positive transformation. The aim of this LSS approach has resulted in changing the mindsets of the operational team to look at operations differently while sustaining a lean culture and creating a learning organization. With this initiative, both companies utilize the lean six sigma tools and ideas to promote a new strategic outlook that brings about creativity, innovation, structured problem-solving skills—at the same time, enhancing employee motivation towards providing an excellent service to all our valuable customers. The Lean Six Sigma program of HNBA & HNBGI titled "Evolution Circle" is the Company's way of giving an identity to the program and the team members. As the name implies, the process of evolution that we have embarked upon is seamless in that one needs to constantly keep improving and attuning oneself, to the complex and dynamic environment in which businesses operate and be continually relevant. The Company has also specially designed a rewards and recognition scheme where all members are entitled to participate. At the recently held Staff Conference, the LSS member and their teams were awarded the Best Cost Saving Project, Best Efficiency Improvement Project, and Best Customer Experience Enhancement Project. HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) is a leading Life Insurance Company in Sri Lanka with a network of 64 branches. Fitch Ratings Lanka has assigned HNBA a rating of 'A+' (lka) for 'National Insurer Financial Strength Rating'. Falling in line with the introduction of the segregation rules by the Insurance Regulator, in January 2015, HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI) commenced its operations. HNBGI continues to specialize in motor, non-motor and Takaful insurance solutions while being a fully-owned subsidiary of HNB Assurance PLC. Fitch Ratings Lanka Limited has assigned HNB General Insurance a 'National Insurer Financial Strength Rating' of 'A+' (lka). HNBA is rated within the Top 100 brands and Top 100 companies in Sri Lanka by LMD and has won international awards for Brand Excellence, Digital Marketing and HR Excellence, including the Great Place To Work® Certification, and won many awards for its Annual Reports at award ceremonies organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.
Oct
HNB Assurance PLC is pleased to announce the appointment of Poornima Ranawaka as Non-Independent Non-Executive Director to its Board with effect from 01 October 2025.Poornima Ranawaka is a distinguished Attorney-at-Law with nearly 19 years of legal practice and more than 22 years of experience across the banking, Insurance, finance, and education sectors. She holds extensive expertise in litigation, risk management, regulatory compliance, human resources, and recoveries. Over the years, she has held several senior leadership positions, including Deputy General Manager – Compliance and Legal at Axis Bank Sri Lanka, Head of Compliance at Pan Asia Banking Corporation and Allianz Insurance Lanka Limited, and Consumer Litigation Manager at Nations Trust Bank PLC.She has been a trailblazer in her field, serving as Vice President and General Secretary of the Association of Compliance Officers of Banks, an Executive Member of the Risk Professionals Association, and a member of Sri Lanka's FATCA advisory committee. She also represented the country during the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) evaluation in 2013. She is currently the General Secretary of the Alumni Association of Sri Lanka Law College.She holds prestigious academic and professional qualifications, including First Class Honours from Sri Lanka Law College and an LL.M. in International Trade Law from the University of Wales. She has also completed a postgraduate diploma in International Compliance from the University of Manchester. Additionally, she is an Associate Member of the International Compliance Association (UK). Her contributions to the field have earned her honorary professorships in Law Teaching from IEMS, India (ACTD, USA).Mrs. Ranawaka has fulfilled the requirements for her PhD in Management at Management and Science University (MSU), Malaysia, and is currently awaiting her convocation. She is deeply committed to education, served as a Commercial Law lecturer and the Chief Examiner at Sri Lanka Law College. In addition, she served as the Chairperson of the Curriculum Development Committee at Sri Lanka Law College from 2022 to 2024, playing a pivotal role in shaping and enhancing the institution's academic framework. Her outstanding contributions to legal education were internationally recognized when she was awarded the prestigious International Achievers Award 2024 in India for her "Most Iconic Role in Law Teaching.
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HNB Assurance PLC proudly introduces HANA, HNB Assurance Next-Generation Assistant, novel AI-powered chatbot designed to transform how customers connect with them. Developed as part of HNB Assurance’s drive to embrace cutting-edge technology and reimagine customer service, HANA delivers instant, 24/7 assistance, making insurance simpler, faster and more intuitive for every policyholder. From policy inquiries to claims guidance and company updates, HANA offers seamless, personalized interactions that remove the need for wait times on calls or branch visits.Speaking on the launch, Lasitha Wimalaratne, Executive Director and CEO of HNB Assurance PLC, said, “At HNB Assurance, our priority has always been to place the customer at the heart of everything we do. With HANA, we are taking that promise to a new level by introducing a virtual assistant who is always available, always informed and always ready to help. This is not just a launch, it is a reflection of the significant investments and digital roadmap we have developed over the past few years to leverage technology in making insurance easier and more accessible to meet the evolving needs of our customers. My sincere thanks and congratulations to all the teams involved in making this milestone a reality and elevating the way we serve our customers.”Highlighting the vision behind HANA, Suneth Jayamanne, Chief Information Officer / General Manager of HNB Assurance, stated, “Implementing HANA is more than deploying a chatbot, it is about embedding intelligence into every interaction. Powered by advanced natural language processing (NLP), machine learning algorithms and deep integration with our core systems, HANA is designed to handle complex queries, learn from vast datasets, and deliver responses with human-like understanding. We certainly believe that his launch is an exciting first step in our broader strategy of using AI to create meaningful, customer-centric experiences. I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to CodeGen International (Private) Limited for their invaluable contribution in turning this vision into reality.”As one of Sri Lanka’s leading life insurers, HNB Assurance continues to invest in new digital capabilities that deliver convenience and confidence, allowing customers to engage with the company on their own terms. Customers can now meet, experience and explorer HANA by accessing the website, www.HNBAssurance.com.
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HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) recorded outstanding success of its sales team at the Life Industry Sales Competition held during the NAFLIA Conference, where the Company secured eleven prestigious accolades across both the Advisor Channel and the Partnership Channel. Demonstrating exceptional performance and commitment, the winners from HNBA delivered outstanding performances at a national level, showcasing the strength of the organizationThe accolades spanned a diverse range of categories including Fast Starters, Advisors, Supervisors and Bancassurance Officers, reflecting the collective strength and capability of HNBA’s sales force.Among the winners, Ms. Gammeda Liyanage Deepa Shamalie was recognized as Best Advisor – Silver, while Mr. Anjula Prasath Thilakarathne earned the Best Advisor – Bronze award. In the Bancassurance category, Ms. Dinushika Ratnayake was awarded Best Bancassurance Officer – Silver, and Mr. J. I. M. Fernando secured the Best Bancassurance Officer – Bronze.In the supervisory categories, Mr. P. J. K. K. Jayarathne distinguished himself by winning the Best Supervisor – Gold, while Mr. Alan Baker, Regional Partnership Head – Northern Region, was honored with the Best Supervisor – Bronze award.HNBA’s Bancassurance Fast Starters also made their mark at a national level, with Ms. V. Kirushalini achieving Gold, Ms. Lakmali Pusalle securing Silver, and Ms. Thilini Lakmali being recognized with Bronze.In the Advisor Fast Starter category, Ms. Bhagya Sewwandi triumphed with the Gold Award, while Ms. Anoma Kumari followed with the Silver Award, completing a remarkable sweep across the board.This remarkable accomplishment is a testament to the success of HNB Assurance’s sales force, whose consistent efforts continue to uplift the Company’s standing in the insurance industry. The recognition gained at the Life Industry Sales Competition not only celebrates individual achievement but also underscores the organization’s commitment to nurturing talent and driving excellence across all levels of its operations.
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