HNB Assurance PLC is pleased to extend its partnership with Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL), in supporting the Federation of Environmental Organizations (FEO Sri Lanka) and the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) by committing to an additional 15 hectares of invasive alien plant species (IAPS) removal within the Lunugamvehera National Park over the next three years.
This programme, focuses on the removal of Lantana Camara (S. Gandapana) and Eupatorium odoratum (S. Podi Singho Maran), which have been rapidly spreading and disrupting the native ecosystem across 900 hectares, creating a sustainable livelihood and a sense of ownership for the community around this national park. Further, this initiative is expected to mitigate the human-elephant conflict by restoring vital grazing areas for elephants, which rely on Lunugamvehera as a critical migratory route between Yala and Udawalawa forest reserves.
Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne, CEO of HNB Assurance PLC, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating "our partnership with Biodiversity Sri Lanka has shown remarkable results in the past through this project and we are committed to deepening our engagement to amplify the impact we can further create. As a company, ‘protection’ is in the core of everything we do, thus, this project serves as an extension to this commitment - fostering a harmonious coexistence between humans and the wildlife, enabling the surrounding communities to live and let live.”
Mrs Shiranee Yasaratne, Senior Advisor at Biodiversity Sri Lanka, sharing her thoughts on the extended partnership, opined, "The commitment of HNB Assurance to this cause is truly commendable. Their continued support allows FEO Sri Lanka to make significant strides in combating invasive alien species and restoring the natural balance within Lunugamvehera National Park. This project not only benefits the environment but also enriches the lives of local communities through employment and education and BSL is a proud facilitator of this support”
The initial year of the project, will see the most labor-intensive phase with the primary removal of IAPS. The following two years will involve maintenance cycles to eliminate new seeds and plants.
Mr. Dinesh Yogaratnam, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer / General Manager, added, “When we first signed up for this project in 2023, we quickly realized the profound impact it could have on both the environment and the local communities. Seeing the positive changes first hand reinforced our commitment to this cause. We are excited to extend our partnership and continue contributing to the restoration of native flora and the overall health of our ecosystem. We believe that by working closely with BSL and other partners, we can certainly achieve this and create a sustainable future."
“We are always very grateful for the support we receive from our sponsors and partners in conserving this beautiful country. Our special thanks to HNB Assurance and Bio Diversity Sri Lanka in coming forward once again to support this important initiative”, said Mr Keith Wijesuriya, Chair of FEO Sri Lanka.
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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Jul
HNB Assurance PLC was recognized by Parenthood Global as one of the Most Outstanding Mom-Inclusive Workplaces for the second year in a row. This prestigious accolade reflects the company’s continued commitment to creating an inclusive, empathetic and empowering work environment for mothers in the workforce.Going a step further, Parenthood Global also honored five exceptional mothers from HNB Assurance as Outstanding Mom Leaders, acknowledging their ability to excel both as professionals and as parents.At the heart of this recognition lies HNB Assurance’s consistent efforts to support working mothers through policies and initiatives that foster balance, growth, and wellbeing. The company has implemented several people-centric benefits such as extended maternity and paternity leave, caregiver leave, flexible working arrangements, wellness support, and reimbursement of professional development costs, all designed to help mothers navigate both career and family responsibilities with confidence.Commenting on this milestone, Mr. Lasitha Wimalarathne, Chief Executive Officer of HNB Assurance PLC, stated, “Being recognised for the second consecutive year as a mom-inclusive workplace is an incredible honor. At HNBA, we believe that empowering our people, especially working mothers, is key to building a resilient and compassionate organization. We are proud to have created a space where motherhood is embraced, not seen as a limitation, but as a strength that adds immense value to our culture and our success.”Ms. Navin Rupasinghe, Head of Human Resources at HNB Assurance PLC, also shared his thoughts on the recognition, “Our people are the heart of everything we do, and this award is a validation of the thoughtful and deliberate steps we have taken to ensure that mothers at HNBA feel seen, supported, and celebrated. From career mobility to emotional wellbeing, we are committed to enabling an ecosystem where our employees can thrive in all aspects of their lives, regardless of their background.”
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Jul
HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) proudly launched HNB Assurance FamilyGuard, a comprehensive insurance product specifically designed for Sri Lankans employed overseas. The product aims to support migrant Sri Lankans by enabling them to build a reliable retirement fund while ensuring their loved ones back home are financially protected.FamilyGuard offers a well-rounded solution that blends long-term financial planning with robust life insurance protection. It provides a range of built-in benefits including Death Benefit, Accidental Death Benefit (ADB), Partial and Total Permanent Disability (PPD) and Waiver of Premium (WOP) due to either death or total permanent disability. These benefits are further complemented by flexible maturity options and a secure investment component designed to generate strong long-term returns, making FamilyGuard a practical and future-ready choice for overseas workers.“At HNB Assurance, we are continuously evolving to cater to the diverse and changing needs of our customers,” stated Lasitha Wimalarathne, CEO of HNB Assurance PLC. “The launch of FamilyGuard reflects our efforts to supporting the aspirations of Sri Lankans working overseas, who often sacrifice so much for the wellbeing of their families. This product is not only about protection, it is about planning for a dignified, financially secure future. We are also strategically equipping our business to be agile, responsive and innovation-led to meet these evolving customer needs.”Speaking about the strengths and features of the product, Dinesh Udawatta, Chief Technical Officer of HNB Assurance, noted, “FamilyGuard has been thoughtfully crafted with features that address the real-world risks faced by overseas workers. From comprehensive life coverage and disability protection to the Waiver of Premium option that ensures policy continuity during times of hardship, we have designed a solution that is both protective and empowering. Its investment element ensures that policyholders can systematically build a secure retirement fund while they are employed abroad.”Nalin Subasinghe, Chief Actuarial Officer of HNB Assurance, stated, “FamilyGuard has been priced to deliver great value to our policyholders. We have balanced affordability with long-term financial growth by optimizing premium allocation and minimizing frictional costs, allowing a greater portion of the customer’s contribution to be invested for high returns. This approach ensures that our overseas customers receive not just protection, but meaningful financial progress as they prepare for a secure retirement.”Customers can find out more about HNB Assurance FamilyGuard by vising www.hnbassurance.com or calling the company’s Assurance Line on 1301. Further, HNB Assurance PLC is regulated by the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL) and customers are advised for more details on benefits, exclusions, terms and conditions, to read the policy document carefully before concluding a sale.
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