HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) announced the appointments of Mr. Damien Fernando and Mr.Stuart Chapman as Non-Executive Directors while its subsidiary, HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI) announced the appointments of Mr. Damien Fernando, Mr. Sanjay Wijemanne and Mr. Arjuna Abeygunasekara as Non-Executive Directors to the respective Boards. These appointments have been approved at the recently concluded Company Annual General Meeting and also by the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka. The reconstituted Board of HNBA comprises of Mrs. Rose Cooray as Chairperson, Mr. Deepthi Lokuarachchi as
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mahendra Jayasekera, Mrs. Siromi Wickramasinghe, Dr. Sivakumar Selliah, Mr. Dilshan Rodrigo, Mr. Ravi Abeysuriya, Mr. Damien Fernando and Mr. Stuart Chapman. And the reconstituted Board of HNBGI comprises of Mrs Rose Cooray as Chairperson, Mr. Deepthi Lokuarachchi as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Faizal Salieh, Mr. Dilshan Rodrigo, Mrs. Marina Tharmaratnam, Mr. Damien Fernando, Mr. Sanjay Wijemanne and Mr. Arjuna Abeygunasekara.
Mr. Damien Fernando is an old boy of St. Peter’s College, Colombo and Royal College, Colombo, Mr. Fernando is a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants of United Kingdom and is a qualified Accountant of the Institute of Chartered Management Accountants of Sri Lanka and obtained a Master of Business Administration Degree from the Postgraduate Institute of Management, University of Sri Jayawardenapura. Mr. Fernando has held many key positions in several sectors including Finance, Life and
General Insurance and has held positions on the Boards of the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Limited, Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka, Lanka Hospital Corporation PLC, Melstacorp PLC, Pelwatte Sugar PLC and National Asset Management Limited. Presently Mr.Fernando is a member of the Boards of the Hatton National Bank PLC, HealthCey Private Limited and Addison Private Limited.
Mr. Stuart Chapman holds a Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of Colombo and a Diploma in Marketing, UK. He is a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK. He has also obtained a Diploma in Life Insurance Sales and Marketing from the Life Underwriters Training Council, USA. He is also a Fellow Member of the Institute of Management, UK. He is a Member of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants, Australia and holds a Diploma in Business Management from the National Institute of Business Management, Sri Lanka. With over 38 years of professional experience in industries including Insurance, Merchant Banking, FMCG, Healthcare and Telecommunications, Mr. Chapman has held several key positions. He has served Janashakthi Insurance PLC in the capacity of Director/CEO and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Pharmaceuticals as Managing Director, Lanka Orix Leasing Company in the capacity of Managing Director, Hemas Healthcare Sector as Managing Director, Reckitt Benckiser as Marketing Director and Unilever Sri Lanka as a Senior Brand Manager. He has been on the Boards of Ceylinco Insurance Co. Limited, Seylan Merchant Bank, Glaxo Wellcome Ceylon Limited, SmithKline Beecham Private Limited, Lanka Orix Leasing Company Limited and currently serves on the Boards of Hemas Pharmaceuticals Private Limited and nited Motors Lanka PLC. In addition, he has held several positions in the industry including that of Honorary President and Founding Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing Sri Lanka Region, President of the Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industry and Co-Chairman of the Pharmaceutical and Cosmetics Steering Committee of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Sanjay Wijemanne holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business & Finance from Mount Saint Mary’s University in the United States of America. Mr. Wijemanne currently holds the position of Deputy General Manager of Retail Banking at the Hatton National Bank PLC and
manages key areas pertaining to Personal Financial Services (Leasing, Pawning, Personal and Housing Loans), Credit Cards, Sales & Business Development, Digital Banking, Network Management, Deposit Mobilization, Marketing Communications, Customer Service, Club & Priority Banking, Inward Remittances & Exchange House Relationships and Bancassurance Channels. Having commenced his career at Ceylinco Securities & Financial Services, he then joined the Hatton National Bank PLC and subsequently The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, where he held many key positions including Vice President – Custody & Clearing, Head of Sales, Head of Branches including Premier Banking, Branch Manager - Kollupitiya Branch/Manager Premier Centre. He then joined the Standard Chartered Bank and held positions of Head of Retail Banking, General Manager - Premium Banking Branch Sales & Services and General Manager - Value Centre.
Mr. Arjuna Abeygunasekara counts over 20 years of experience in the banking sector including branch banking and treasury management in four leading banks in the country. He currently holds the position of Assistant General Manager - Treasury and Markets of Hatton National Bank PLC. Mr. Abeygunasekara holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Colombo and a Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of Colombo. He has obtained the status of ACI and the status of Chartered Global Management Accountant and is an Associate Chartered Management Accountant. In addition, he serves the Centre for Banking Studies of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka as a recourse person.
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.
Read More
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.”
Read More
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.
Read More
Solution by Xiteb®
