HNB Assurance PLC unveiled the results of its recent survey, conducted in partnership with Great Place to Work. The findings revealed an impressive Employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS) of 38%, drastically outpacing the international average of 27%, within the insurance industry. The eNPS is a critical metric that measures employee satisfaction and loyalty, providing valuable insights into the overall health of the organization. It reflects how likely employees are to recommend their workplace to others, serving as a key indicator of engagement and morale.
Over the past few years, HNB Assurance has experienced an impressive growth trajectory, achieving and maintaining double the rate of the industry's growth. With the company keen on sustaining this steady advance, it is crucial to continually understand and nurture its internal health. This is where the eNPS proves invaluable, offering valuable insights into employee sentiment and identifying areas for improvement.
Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne, CEO of HNB Assurance, expressing his thoughts stated, "This exceptional eNPS score is not just a number, it reflects the deep engagement and satisfaction of our employees – which I’m extremely proud of. It also speaks volumes about the positive work environment we have cultivated, where every team member feels valued and empowered. As we set out to attain our ambitious target of reaching 10% market share by 2026, our people remain the heart of this journey, propelling us toward our goals with their relentless passion and drive. I must also add that this achievement is not a one-time event but the result of a progressive journey. Over the years, we have invested and meticulously curated initiatives, benchmarking both global and local best practices, to continually enhance our internal environment and achieve this significant milestone."
The company’s commitment to excellence has been recognized through several prestigious awards, including being named one of the 70 Best Workplaces in Asia in 2022. Additionally, HNB Assurance received the Women-Friendly Workplace Awards 2023, hosted by Satyn Magazine, AICPA and CIMA. The organization was also honored as a Company with Great Managers in both 2023 and 2024.
Mr. Navin Rupasinghe, Head of HR at HNB Assurance, elaborated on the initiatives contributing to this success, "We place immense value on the voices of our employees, recognizing that their insights are crucial to our growth. In terms of development, we offer extensive training and career development opportunities to ensure that our employees are continuously growing and advancing in their careers. Our holistic wellness initiatives, including the In.She program, caregiver leave, paternity leave and education reimbursements, are all integral parts of our commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace. These initiatives are designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and help us foster a positive work environment where everyone feels valued and empowered. As we move forward, we want to attract the best talent and continue to not only meet but exceed the expectations of our employees, while ensuring that HNB Assurance remains a great place to work for everyone."
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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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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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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