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HNBA and HNBGI Celebrate Insurance Month with a Renewed Pledge to Protect
As the nation joins hands to celebrate Insurance Month, HNB Assurance (HNBA) and its fully owned subsidiary, HNB General Insurance (HNBGI), stand at the forefront of the celebrations, highlighting their steadfast commitment to safeguarding the well-being and aspirations of all Sri Lankans. HNBA and HNBGI, two relatively young companies have made impressive strides in terms of growth over the past couple of years, which is a testament to the trust earned by the two companies within a short span of time.
At the heart of this year’s celebration, for both HNBA and HNBGI, lies a focus on innovative insurance offerings that cater to the many requirements and needs of all Sri Lankans. From health to home, travel to trade, savings to investments, both HNBA and HNBGI have crafted solutions that anticipate risks, adjust to changing times and ensure that every policyholder receives the protection they need and deserve.
Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratner, CEO of HNB Assurance, stated “Insurance month is about us as an industry being able to come together and remind ourselves and reaffirm our commitment of the service we offer. As we celebrate and reflect on the importance of insurance, we want our stakeholders and customers at HNB Assurance to experience value and perceive insurance beyond just a transaction. We firmly believe that insurance, as an offering, can be a national service that significantly contributes to the country’s resilience and growth.
This belief has been the driving force behind our continuous efforts towards product innovation and excellence. One remarkable outcome of this commitment is our premium health product, Supreme Health Unlimited, which stands arguably as the best in the market. Furthermore, our remarkable growth in the Advisor and Bancassurance channels have garnered international recognition. We are honored to have secured the Best Bancassurance Award for three consecutive years. While our Innovative Distribution Initiatives have also been acknowledged by Insurance Asia Awards 2023, where we were bestowed with the Most Innovative Distribution Initiative Award. These accolades reinforce our commitment to not only serve and address the insurance needs of our customers but also reshape the industry with groundbreaking initiatives.
Mr. Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance, said, “I believe our role and aim as a company is to provide a sense of security for our customers in an unpredictable world. This is why we continuously develop insurance products that not only offer financial protection but also align with emerging trends. As an industry, it is clear that we have come a long way, especially over the past couple of years, where we have been predominantly driven by technological advancements. I believe HNBGI stands as a prime examples of how a company can adapt, innovate and thrive in today’s digital age, even while confronting tough economic challenges.
As we celebrate Insurance month, I would like to remind myself and all our stakeholders that our responsibility as an organization extends beyond just policy documents. It’s about trust and partnership. This is why we have been able to grow year on year, quarter on quarter at almost twice the industry growth rate. Furthermore, I’m excited to share the news of a new product launch expected later this month, which will revolutionize our motor insurance offering. Lastly, as Sri Lanka strives towards economic recovery, HNBGI remains dedicated to empowering individuals and businesses of all sizes. Our focus is on providing customized insurance offerings that safeguard our customers, whereby enabling our country’s economic growth.
HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) is one of the fastest growing Insurance Companies in Sri Lanka with a network of 64 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 including the Great Place To Work® Certification, and won many awards for its Annual Reports at award ceremonies organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
