HNB Assurance PLC is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Lakshman Silva and Dr. Sankalpa Gamwarige as Independent Non-Executive Directors to its Board with effect from 1 January 2024.
Mr. Lakshman Silva is the former CEO/Director of DFCC Bank PLC. He started his professional career at the Department of Inland Revenue of Sri Lanka and joined the DFCC Banking Group in 1987. He was seconded to the service of DFCC Vardhana Bank in 2003 and functioned as Chief Operating Officer until his appointment as CEO/Executive Director in January 2010. Held the position of Deputy CEO /Director of DFCC Bank PLC from October 2015 and was appointed as CEO /Director in August 2017.
Until his retirement in December 2021, he was Chairman of DFCC Consulting Ltd., Lanka Industrial Estates Ltd., and Synapsys Ltd. (subsidiary companies of DFCC Bank PLC) as well as the Chairman of Lanka Financial Services Bureau Ltd. and Sri Lanka Banks' Association (Guarantee) Ltd. He also held the position of Chairman of Acuity Partners Ltd., the joint venture company of DFCC Bank PLC. In addition, he was Chairman/Director of Lanka Ventures Ltd., LVL Energy Fund PLC and Director LankaClear Ltd.
Silva was a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP), and Board of Management of the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority.
At present he serves as an Independent Director at Seylan Bank PLC, Independent Director of Finetech Consultancy Ltd, while serving as Chairman and Director of Panasian Power PLC and its subsidiary companies. He also serves as Member of the Stakeholder Engagement Committee of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Silva is a past President of the Association of Professional Bankers of Sri Lanka. He holds a BCom (Sp.) from the Kelaniya University and an MBA from the Postgraduate Institute of Management of the Sri Jayewardenepura University. He is an Associate Member of the Association of Development Financial Institutions of Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP).
Dr. Sankalpa Gamwarige, PhD is an Innovative Digital Transformational specialist and Tech Talent Enabler with a 20+ year Digital Product Engineering and Electronics Engineering background. He is a member of Global Leadership team of Nagarro, a Digital Product Engineering Company Listed at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, with a global team of over 19,000 Digital Specialists across 35 different countries.
Prior to joining Nagarro, he was General Manager and Vice President of Engineering at Zone 24x7 a family-owned Digital Product Company with Operations in USA, UK, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. During his 16 years of Engineering Leadership career at Zone24x7, he led the teams towards: overall winner of the National Best Quality Software Award (NBQSA) 2015, winner of R&D category at Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) Awards 2015, Presidential Awards for the highest Value-Added Exporter of the Hi-tech/Innovative Sector 2014, 2015 and 2016. Sankalpa has contributed many US Patents filed and owned by Zone24x7. Further, the academic papers published by him based on his PhD research have been extensively cited.
Sankalpa has voluntarily contributed to many national initiatives and forums including SLASSCOM, TRACE, National Innovation Agency (NIA), National Science Foundation (NSF), Export Development Board (EDB), Sri Lanka Institute of Biotechnology (SLIBTEC) and Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), serving in various capacities such as Advisory and Board level. In addition, he is/was a member of the Board of Studies - Faculty of Graduate Studies and Academic Committee of BIT external degree program – Faculty of IT, Moratuwa University.
Jul
In a move towards reimagining the future of accessible, digital-first healthcare, HNB Assurance PLC and Flash Health entered a partnership to enhance the wellness experience for policyholders. This collaboration brings together the trust and legacy of one of Sri Lanka’s leading insurance providers with the innovation and agility of a health-tech disruptor, creating a future where wellness is not just promised, but truly delivered.Under this partnership, HNB Assurance policyholders will gain seamless access to Flash Health’s full ecosystem of digital healthcare services, including medicine delivery, lab testing, doctor consultations, and more, all through a convenient and user-friendly mobile app. This ensures that wellness is no longer reactive, but proactive, accessible, and empowering.HNB Assurance’s Executive Director / Chief Executive Officer, Lasitha Wimalaratne, stated, “This collaboration is a natural extension of our commitment to deliver value beyond traditional insurance. By integrating Flash Health’s capabilities, we enable our customers to manage their health proactively, making insurance a safety net and a platform for ongoing wellness.”“At Flash Health, we believe that good health shouldn’t begin at the hospital, it should start at home,” said Arshad Ameer, Founder of Flash Health. “This partnership marks a bold step in our mission to make healthcare accessible, timely, and personalised for every Sri Lankan. Together with HNB Assurance, we are creating an experience that puts people first, where policyholders don’t just receive cover, they receive care.”With policyholders across the country, this partnership is expected to touch thousands of lives, offering timely access to healthcare, reducing waiting times, and improving the quality of life, especially for the elderly, chronically ill, and time-constrained working professionals.
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Jul
In a year that marked new milestones and continued momentum, HNB Assurance brought together its team from around the island, for the 2025 Staff Conference, an evening dedicated to celebrating its people and the values that fuel the company’s remarkable rise. With over 850 team members in attendance, the event was graced by Chairman Mr. Stuart Chapman as the Chief Guest, alongside members of the Board of Directors, making it a truly memorable gathering.Held under the theme of “United, Bold, Victorious” the event wasn’t just a look back at accomplishments, it was a celebration of the individuals behind them. From honoring years of loyal service to applauding those pushing boundaries across teams and disciplines, the night was a powerful reminder of why HNB Assurance continues to thrive.The highlight of the evening was a series of recognitions that reflected the company’s holistic approach to success. The Long Service Awards honored those who have dedicated over 15 years to HNB Assurance’s journey. The Chairman’s Award recognized employees who have truly redefined excellence. The In.she Woman Empowerment Award celebrated women breaking barriers, while the CEO’s Special Recognition Award honored teams and individuals achieving extraordinary success outside their formal roles – including in sports and collaborative business innovations.Addressing the gathering, Executive Director / CEO Lasitha Wimalaratne reflected on the year and the collective effort that continues to drive HNB Assurance forward “We are not just building a business. We are building a culture of purpose, integrity and shared ambition. Over the past few years, we have grown at twice the pace of the industry, not because of chance, but because of our people, their commitment and belief in what we are building together. I couldn’t be prouder to lead this team.”Mr. Navin Rupasinghe, Deputy General Manager / Head of Human Resources, sharing his thoughts, stated, “This conference is a celebration of growth, but more importantly, of gratitude. It is about recognizing the culture we have created, one where people feel valued, empowered and inspired. Every award handed out tonight carries a story of hard work. As we continue to raise the bar, it is clear that our greatest asset will always be our people. This year also marks a significant milestone with the official launch of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) framework, reinforcing our commitment to creating a workplace where everyone feels seen, heard and supported, which is another step toward building an environment where every individual can thrive.”
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Jul
A key leadership announcement was made as Lasitha Wimalaratne has been appointed as an Executive Director/CEO of HNB Assurance PLC, while Sithumina Jayasundara has been appointed as an Executive Director/CEO of HNB General Insurance Limited.Both Lasitha Wimalaratne and Sithumina Jayasundara presently serve as the Chief Executive Officers of HNB Assurance PLC and HNB General Insurance Limited, respectively.Speaking on their appointment, Stuart Chapman, Chairman of HNB Assurance PLC and HNB General Insurance Ltd, stated “I’d like to extend my warmest congratulations to both Lasitha and Sithumina on their appointment to the respective Boards. Their leadership and contributions to both companies have been instrumental in driving growth and stability across the businesses, and I am confident that their appointment will further strengthen our strategic direction and enhance shareholder value.”Lasitha Wimalaratne has overall over 27 years of career experience with 24 years in the field of Life Insurance inclusive of 7 years of multinational experience at Aviva and AIA groups and 3 years of retail Sales and Marketing exposure in London.Prior to joining HNB Assurance PLC he functioned as the General Manager - Life Operations and Specified Officer at Softlogic Life Insurance PLC. Lasitha Joined HNB Assurance PLC in 2019 and served in the capacity of Chief Operating Officer and Principal Officer prior to being appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of HNB Assurance PLC. Lasitha holds a Master of Business Administration Degree (MBA) from the University of Wales, UK and a B. A. (Hons) Degree in Business Studies from the University of Sunderland, UK. He is a Chartered Insurer and a Fellow Member of the Chartered Insurance Institute (FCII). Lasitha is also a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) and an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK (ACIM). Lasitha functions as the President of the Insurance Association of Sri Lanka (IASL) and served as the President of the Sri Lanka Insurance Institute (SLII) for the period of 2019-2021. Further, he was the Founder Secretary General of the Chartered Insurance Professionals (ACIP) and served as a Council Member until March 2021. Lasitha also was a Board Director of Biodiversity Sri LankaSithumina Jayasundara, has over 27 years of experience in the Sri Lankan insurance landscape. His journey began with leadership roles in Non-Life insurance business at prestigious companies like Asian Alliance, MBSL, Janashakthi, and Eagle Insurance. He further broadened his expertise through international training programmes and conferences, specialising in Re-insurance. In 2014, Sithumina joined HNB General Insurance Limited, quickly rising through the ranks. He was appointed to the Group Executive Committee in 2015 and subsequently took on the responsibilities of Chief Technical Officer, Specified Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Principal Officer. Beyond his corporate achievements, Sithumina actively contributes to the industry’s development. He was the Past President of the Sri Lanka Insurance Institute (SLII) and is a founding Council Member of The Association of Chartered Insurance Professionals (ACIP) in Sri Lanka. He also serves on the Insurance Association of Sri Lanka (IASL). Sithumina’s academic qualifications are equally impressive. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK, and is the Sri Lanka award winner of the Advanced Diploma in Insurance (ACII - UK) and is a Chartered Insurer. Additionally, he holds the Senior Associateship of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance. He also currently serves as a member of the Expert Advisory Committee for the InsurInnovator Connect Global Series Events – Asia 2025.
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