HNB Assurance and HNB General Insurance recently held a workshop partnering Mr. Ravi Abeysuriya, CFA to present and distribute his latest book, "Financial Literacy - to achieve your financial wellbeing." This collaboration aims to promote financial literacy and empower individuals to make informed financial decisions to secure a prosperous future. Mr. Ravi Abeysuriya, a Non-executive / Independent Director of the HNB Assurance PLC board, is a veteran in the field of Banking and Finance. He Chairs and presides on the boards and committees of multiple organizations and was honorably named “Lifetime Achievement” award laureate by CFA Institute, USA in 2017 for his outstanding work and dedication to the investment management profession. Sharing his thoughts at the presentation and distribution event of his book, he opined, "Firstly, I’d like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Management of HNBA and HNBGI for their invaluable partnership in propagating this message of financial literacy, empowering a wider audience to shape their financial destinies.” Sri Lanka has the highest gap between print literacy and financial literacy in the region. On Average, 65% of the adults in advanced economies are financially literate. South Asia records the lowest percentage of financial literacy, with Sri Lanka coming in at about 35%. "Numerous studies have indicated that insurance penetration is among the most reliable indicators of financial literacy in any society. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka currently exhibits a penetration of less than 2%, reflecting a significant disparity in comparison to the global average," highlighted Mr. Abeysuriya, shedding light on the prevailing situation in Sri Lanka. While encouraging the participants to read and understand the book “Financial Literacy - to achieve your financial wellbeing," Mr. Abeysuriya emphasized the importance of equipping oneself with the knowledge and skills contained within the book to make informed and pertinent financial decisions. "Comprehending how money works and effectively managing personal finances are crucial steps toward attaining financial stability. Budgeting, planning, investing, asset accumulation and managing borrowings are practices adopted by successful organizations. Similarly, it is important that we apply these skills to our personal lives as well, equipping ourselves with the necessary knowledge and empowering ourselves to make sound financial decisions based on our current financial needs.” The presentation and distribution event was graced by esteemed guests including the Chairman, Director General and other members of the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL), the CEO of Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) along with the Chairperson, CEOs and Senior Management and members of the advisory teams from both HNBA and HNBGI. The Chief guest of the event Mr. Razik Zarook PC, Chairman of the IRCSL sharing his views at the event stated, "I am deeply honored to be a part of this significant and momentous occasion today. The principles of financial management, articulated in the 'Sigalovada Sutta' of the Digha Nikaya almost 2500 years ago continue to hold relevance even in today's complex economic landscape. I can’t think of a better way to create awareness among people than going back to the words of the Exalted one, the principles of whom, I’m certain this book encapsulates.”
Oct
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.
Read MoreSep
Breaking boundaries in brand storytelling, HNB Assurance proudly bagged a Silver at the Dragons of Sri Lanka 2025 Awards for its Virtual Avurudu Village campaign under the Digital Category. This innovative initiative redefined how traditions can meet technology, turning a beloved cultural festival into an immersive digital experience that struck a chord with a new generation of audiences.Commenting on this achievement, Lasitha Wimalarathne, Executive Director / CEO of HNB Assurance, stated, “We are very pleased to receive this Silver Dragon for our Virtual Avurudu Village campaign. At HNB Assurance, we believe in constantly exploring new and innovative ways to connect with people and this campaign was a perfect example of that. By reimagining a traditional celebration in a virtual format, we were able to create an engaging experience that resonated strongly with both younger and wider audiences. My sincere thanks and heartfelt congratulations to all the teams involved in designing and delivering this campaign.”Sharing his thoughts, Dinesh Yogaratnam, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer/ General Manager of HNB Assurance, added, “Winning a Silver Dragon this year reinforces the importance of evolving our communication strategies to keep pace with consumer trends. With Virtual Avurudu Village, we not only embraced innovation but also stayed true to our cultural roots by bringing Avurudu festivities to a digital platform. This enabled us to create a unique blend of tradition and technology, opening the door to new audiences while strengthening brand affinity. I’d also like to extend my gratitude to our digital partner, Kites Global, for their contribution in bringing this idea to life.”
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