Business
HNBA & HNBGI herald in the new year whilst surpassing 15BN in Group GWP
HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) and HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI), heralded in the new year with a great degree of enthusiasm and positivity whilst celebrating all the achievements that both companies have made in the last year. In terms of top line, the HNB Assurance Group was able to reach a GWP of LKR 15.7 billion. It needs special mention that whilst the Group took around 18 years to reach 10 billion, it took only two years to grow from 10 to 15 billion, auguring well for the strategies that have been put in place for this aggressive growth that is being witnessed. Apart from this, both HNBA and HNBGI were the recipients of a number of awards both locally and internationally.
Lasitha Wimlaratne, CEO of HNBA addressing staff thanked them for their unstinted support that has made the Company become what it is today. He further added. “I’m indeed delighted of our achievements albeit in one of the most challenging years in memory. The teams have outdone themselves in terms of the meticulous execution of the strategies that have made us achieve enviable growth way beyond industry growth rates, as a Group too we’ve made some historic achievements in remarkably quick time. Further, we have had the honour of being listed amongst the top 70 best workplaces in Asia, and incidentally are the only Sri Lankan insurer to be thus recognised”. Whilst wishing the staff and their families for the new year, Mr. Wimalaratne reiterated the challenges that lie ahead and beckoned one and all to stand tall in the face of such challenges and emerge victorious.
Addressing the gathering the CEO of HNBGI Mr. Sithumina Jayasundara stated “I consider it a privilege to lead such a dynamic team of insurance professionals. Whilst we have had many a challenge, we have overcome them all and emerged stronger and more resilient, and I owe a debt of gratitude to the entire team for the efforts that have been put in. We have made a number of very significant changes as part of our 5th in 5 mission, and I’m happy to state that we are on track to reach our objective. Whilst the bygone year came with its challenges, we can only assume that this year too will be as or even more challenging as the country steers itself out of this economic turmoil. We need to continue to work smart, we need to look at things differently as out of turmoil comes triumph”. Whilst acknowledging the remarkable achievement in terms of Group GWP he thanked all the customers for placing their trust in the Company and wished everyone for the new year, Mr. Jayasundara reminded the gathering of the awards that were won during the year especially that of the Best Claims Management Team and emphasised the need to put the customer first in everything.
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 Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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