HNB Assurance PLC entered a strategic partnership with the Faculty of Management and Finance at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, to introduce the HNB Assurance Aspire program. This initiative aims to provide selected high-performing Advisors, Leaders, and Bancassurance Officers with an opportunity to enhance their professional and business skills.
Through the HNB Assurance Aspire program, candidates will have the opportunity to obtain a Diploma in Professional and Business Skills (DPBS) from the University of Colombo, with a pathway extending to a degree.
Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne, CEO of HNB Assurance, speaking at the launch event, stated "At HNB Assurance, we believe in investing in our sales force and providing them with the best resources and opportunities they need to succeed. The HNB Assurance Aspire Program is initiated with this in mind showcasing our commitment to nurturing talent and helping our advisors and bancassurance officers reach their full potential. In terms of this partnership, we are very excited and thankful to the University of Colombo for giving us the opportunity to partner them and are proud to be the only insurance company in the country to form such a partnership with one of the best universities in the country. Personally, I look forward to seeing the positive impact of this program on our teams and our company.”
The Vice-Chancellor, University of Colombo, Senior Professor H. D. Karunaratne stated, “HNB Assurance has made an effective decision by choosing the best higher educational institute of the country as its trainer”. Moreover, he highlighted that “University of Colombo is not only the best university in the country, also the only higher educational institute in the country which has been listed under the top 1000 universities in the world. Therefore, the trainees of the company will obtain a global recognition after the completion of the programme.”
Mr. Shiran Fernando, Head Sales Training and Development at HNB Assurance, added, "The Aspire program is a significant step forward in our training and development efforts. By collaborating with the University of Colombo, we are ensuring that our high performers receive top-notch education and training, equipping them with the skills they need to excel further in their careers. In the first program, 40 candidates will be selected for the Colombo University program. I must convey my sincere thanks to both teams from the University of Colombo, Faculty of Management and Finance and HNB Assurance for their efforts in getting this program off the ground."
Dean of the Faculty of Management and Finance at the University of Colombo, Professor H.M. Nihal Hennayake, expressing his thoughts on this partnership stated "We are delighted to collaborate with HNB Assurance on the HNB Assurance Aspire program. This initiative aligns with our broader vision of the faculty in providing high-quality education and professional development opportunities to professionals who can benefit from advanced education, training and skills enhancement. As the facilitators of this program, I must state, our aim is not only supporting individual career growth but driving excellence that will benefit the broader industry. I eagerly await the positive outcomes of this collaboration and the long-term impact it will have on the participants and their organization."
Dr. Sajitha Dishanka, the Head of the Management Consultancy Unit of the Faculty of Management and Finance, University of Colombo stated, “Our unit is fully equipped with required resource personnel and tailor-made programme curricula to meet training requirements of the corporate sector”. Further, he assured that HNB Assurance will receive the expected value provided through its learning partners and be a company with a novel and impactful experience through the inaugurated diploma programme.
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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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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Oct
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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