HNBA News

Sri Lanka Insurance Institute announced the re-election of Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne, Chief Operating Officer of HNB Assurance PLC as its 18th President. The appointment of Mr. Lasitha was pronounced at the Annual General Meeting held on the 26th of June, 2020 at the SLII Auditorium, Colombo 03. Mr. Sithumina Jayasundara, Chief Operating Officer of HNB General Insurance Limited, the fully owned subsidiary of HNB Assurance PLC, was also elected as the Vice President of the Institute. Lasitha, an alumnus of Mahinda College, Galle is decorated by a professional profile spanning over 22 years out of which he holds 19 years of experience in Life Insurance Operations inclusive of 07 years at AIA Insurance Sri Lanka, whilst also gaining 03 years of Marketing and Sales exposure in London. Prior to joining HNB Assurance PLC, Lasitha conducted duties as the General Manager - Life Operations and Specified Officer at Softlogic Life Insurance PLC. Having joined HNB Assurance PLC as its Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Lasitha was promoted to the position of Chief Operating Officer and Principal Officer in July, 2020. Lasitha bears the status of a Chartered Insurer and is a Fellow Member of the Chartered Insurance Institute, UK (FCII). Furthermore, he is a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance (AZIIF-Fellow) and an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (ACIM), UK. Lasitha obtained his MBA from the University of Wales, UK and a B.A. (Hons) Degree in Business Studies from the University of Sunderland, UK. Lasitha has been serving SLII as a Council Member since 2011 and he was also the Founder Secretary General of the Association of Chartered Insurance Professionals (ACIP) and is a current Council Member of ACIP. He was the first to publish a book on insurance in a local context, titled “Jeewitha Rakshanaye Asisriya” which highlights the importance and benefits of Life Insurance. The SLII is the premier insurance educational body in Sri Lanka and is in existence for over 38 years. The SLII’s main objectives are to instill and maintain the professionalism in the industry whilst encouraging and assisting studies in insurance and to create a social forum for its members. The SLII conducts examinations on behalf of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) UK, Insurance Institute of India and the qualifying examination for the insurance advisers on behalf of the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka. The SLII also offers Diplomas and Certificate courses relating to insurance. The new council elected for the year 2020/2021: Lasitha Wimalaratne - President, Sithumina Jayasundara - Vice President, Mahendra Wilegoda - Secretary, Anushka Jayasinghe - Assistant Secretary, Sameera Dharmasena - Treasurer, Kaumalee Amaradiwakara - Council Member, Chandima Sumanathunga - Council Member, Rumesh Modarage - Council Member, Lachini Chithrasena - Council Member, Kusum Thenuwara - Council Member and Saman Kumara - Council Member.

HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) and its fully owned subsidiary, HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI) announced the relocation of its Branch in Embilipitiya recently. The ceremonious occasion was graced by the presence of its Chief Guest, CEO of HNBA and HNBGI, Prasantha Fernando, accompanied by the senior members of the management in HNBA and HNBGI as well as other distinguished guests. Speaking at the event, CEO of HNBA and HNBGI, Prasantha Fernando articulated, “The Company holds a long-standing relationship of togetherness with its customers in Embilipitiya, providing them all-inclusive protection and the value of fringe benefits one can experience through the service of insurance to protect their belongings and those who are dear to them . Dedicated to serving this cause, today’s momentous occasion demonstrates the Group’s continued commitment towards giving our best to customers, in fulfilling their insurance needs. Whilst the Company is focused on actively undertaking the many service enhancement initiatives, it has been our notion that cutting edge facilities would deliver greater service satisfaction, and in turn would make a ‘happy customer’. Thus, it is no doubt that this Branch will drive greater levels of service excellence, further contributing to the Company’s value creation framework”.   Sharing his views, Chief Operating Officer and Principal Officer of HNBA, Lasitha Wimalaratne stated, “This Branch would fortify an already strong customer servicing attribute of the Group, fostering streamlined service delivery between our invaluable customers and staff. Therefore, I am sure the commitment of our staff would nurture our singular aim towards industry best, and achieve the many milestones of excellence for a successful future of HNBA and HNBGI”.   Chief Operating Officer and Principal Officer of HNBGI, Sithumina Jayasundara expressed his views stating, “Strong and stable branch operations within our General Insurance business is a key pillar of business growth. This new facility is a strong testament for our firm stand within the market, also assisting our business goals in challenging times”. HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) is one of the fastest growing Insurance Companies in Sri Lanka with a network of 63 branches. HNBA is a Life Insurance company with a rating of A (lka) by Fitch Ratings Lanka for ‘National Insurer Financial Strength Rating’. Following the introduction of the segregation rules by the Insurance Regulator, HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI) was created and commenced its operations in January 2015; HNBGI continues to specialize in motor, non-motor and Takaful insurance solutions and is a fully owned subsidiary of HNB Assurance PLC. HNB General Insurance has been assigned a ‘National Insurer Financial Strength Rating’ of ‘’A’’ (lka) by Fitch Ratings Lanka Limited. HNBA is rated within the Top 100 brands and Top 100 companies in Sri Lanka by LMD and HNB Assurance has won international awards for Brand Excellence, Digital Marketing and HR Excellence and won many awards for its Annual Reports at award ceremonies organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and SAFA (South Asian Federation of Accountants).

HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) and its fully owned subsidiary HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI) recently concluded its Chairman’s and Long Service Awards Ceremony 2020 at the Taj Samudra, Colombo. Held in celebration of staff excellence, the event was attended by a limited number of guests as set out by the Company in adherence to all health and safety guidelines. This special occasion was joined by the members of the Senior Management of HNBA and HNBGI and other distinguished guests, to present and witness the crowning of 12 Chairman’s Award Winners and 08 Long Service Award Winners. Expressing views on the event, Chief Executive Officer of HNBA and HNBGI Mr. Prasantha Fernando stated, “Operating amidst concerning times in terms of both, health and the economy, the Group has chartered its way through to confidently address many of its business pillars including stakeholder value creation and employee wellbeing as part of the Company’s drive towards industry excellence. Celebrating achievements, winning spirit and talents in this setting is a challenge, and yet we have come together to admire and reward the laudable efforts of our very fellow staff members as their immense dedication is core to the Group’s success. This is also evident by the Group’s recent Great Place to Work® certification. Furthermore, we firmly believe that tapping the capacity and contribution of our professional staff members to guide and equip them with skills and knowledge for their individual career development is primary in our advancement, and would also assist our market stand remain deep-rooted. I extend my heartiest wishes to the Winners and wish them all the very best in their future endeavors”. Sharing his thoughts, Chief Human Resource Officer of HNBA and HNBGI Mr. Dinuka Pattikiriarachchi stated, “Recognizing and appreciating the value of an exceptional employee should not be determined upon the overall performance standards of a company, nor the favorability of the economic outlook posed by a particular year. It is a blunt fact that the COVID-19 Pandemic had brought about a challenging state over business, staging an inflexible uphill battle to reach pre-pandemic growth rates. Nevertheless, we as an organization stand firm in our commitment to nurture a great place to work in which employee recognition is an essential part in our way of life”. Speaking further, Mr. Pattikiriarachchi stated, “This occasion is one such event in our employee calendar in which we stood not to divest from the said grounds. It is indeed in times such as this, that employers are required to ‘walk the talk’ for their most important asset, the inner public, the go-getters.  I am gladdened, and am sure that this ceremony was a reward for the past, and an investment for the future.” HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) is one of the fastest growing Insurance Companies in Sri Lanka with a network of 63 branches. HNBA is a Life Insurance company with a rating of A (lka) by Fitch Ratings Lanka for “National Insurer Financial Strength Rating”. Following the introduction of the segregation rules by the Insurer Regulator, HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI) was created and commenced its operations in January 2015; HNBGI continues to specialize in motor, non-motor and Takaful insurance solutions and is a fully owned subsidiary of HNB Assurance PLC. HNBA is rated within the Top 100 Brands and Top 100 companies in Sri Lanka by LMD and HNB Assurance has won international awards for Brand Excellence, Digital Marketing and HR Excellence and also won many awards for its Annual Reports at the Award ceremonies organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and SAFA (South Asian Federation Accountants).