HNB Assurance PLC made history by hosting its Partnership Awards 2024 on an international stage for the very first time. Held at the prestigious Berkeley Hotel in Bangkok, the event brought together over 100 participants, including HNB and HNB Assurance staff, Bancassurance Officers and their families, for a night of celebration, recognition and appreciation. The Partnership Awards, a key annual event for HNB Assurance, is about acknowledging the exceptional contributions of the company’s partnership channel, which has played a critical role in the overall company’s growth.
This year’s event was special, as it was the first time an awards ceremony of this nature was held outside Sri Lanka—an exciting milestone which reflects HNB Assurance’s growth and ambitious leadership and vision.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne, CEO of HNB Assurance shared his excitement about the channel’s achievements: “It’s a proud moment for us to be here in Thailand, celebrating the hard work and remarkable milestones of our partnership channel which has shown remarkable growth over the past couple of years. The journey of crossing the LKR 5 billion Gross Written Premium milestone is no small feat and the fact that our partnership channel now contributes almost 46% of our total GWP shows just how vital its role is, in our success. As we move ahead, we must strive to push our boundaries by staying innovative and focusing on customer satisfaction. So, congratulations to all the award winners and teams behind organizing this gala event.”
Mr. Supun Dias, Assistant General Manager, Network Business of Hatton National Bank, attending the ceremony as the Guest of Honor, opined, “It truly is remarkable to see the progress HNB Assurance has made over the years. To grow year after year within a challenging economic landscape is no easy task. I am confident that with this momentum, HNB Assurance will continue to achieve greater success and set new benchmarks in the industry. It’s an exciting time and journey ahead for us as the HNB group and I’m extremely proud to be here to witness this milestone."
HNB Assurance was recognized as the best Life Bancassurance Provider by the Global Banking and Finance Review for four consecutive years. Further the bancassurance team recorded an impressive milestone of 122 MDRT qualifiers out of a sales force of over 200.
“What makes this event special is that we’re not just celebrating numbers, we’re celebrating our people” stated Mr. Sanesh Fernando, Chief Business Officer Partnerships. “It’s been a privilege to watch our Bancassurance Officers grow and achieve new heights each year. This event in Thailand is a reflection of just how far we’ve come together and I certainly believe that the best is yet to come. Recording 122 MDRT qualifiers including 17 COTs and 02 TOTs last year and being recognized as the Best Life Bancassurance Provider on four consecutive occasions is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team. While these achievements highlight the exceptional talent within our Bancassurance channel, I have no doubt that we will continue reach even greater heights in the future. Finally, I’d like to take a moment to thank our parent company Hatton National Bank along with our other partner banks, financial institutions and broker network for their continued support.”
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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