HNBA News

HNB Assurance PLC is pleased to extend its partnership with Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL), in supporting the Federation of Environmental Organizations (FEO Sri Lanka) and the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) by committing to an additional 15 hectares of invasive alien plant species (IAPS) removal within the Lunugamvehera National Park over the next three years.

This programme, focuses on the removal of Lantana Camara (S. Gandapana) and Eupatorium odoratum (S. Podi Singho Maran), which have been rapidly spreading and disrupting the native ecosystem across 900 hectares, creating a sustainable livelihood and a sense of ownership for the community around this national park. Further, this initiative is expected to mitigate the human-elephant conflict by restoring vital grazing areas for elephants, which rely on Lunugamvehera as a critical migratory route between Yala and Udawalawa forest reserves.

Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne, CEO of HNB Assurance PLC, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating "our partnership with Biodiversity Sri Lanka has shown remarkable results in the past through this project and we are committed to deepening our engagement to amplify the impact we can further create. As a company, ‘protection’ is in the core of everything we do, thus, this project serves as an extension to this commitment - fostering a harmonious coexistence between humans and the wildlife, enabling the surrounding communities to live and let live.”

Mrs Shiranee Yasaratne, Senior Advisor at Biodiversity Sri Lanka, sharing her thoughts on the extended partnership, opined, "The commitment of HNB Assurance to this cause is truly commendable. Their continued support allows FEO Sri Lanka to make significant strides in combating invasive alien species and restoring the natural balance within Lunugamvehera National Park. This project not only benefits the environment but also enriches the lives of local communities through employment and education and BSL is a proud facilitator of this support”

The initial year of the project, will see the most labor-intensive phase with the primary removal of IAPS. The following two years will involve maintenance cycles to eliminate new seeds and plants. 

Mr. Dinesh Yogaratnam, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer / General Manager, added, “When we first signed up for this project in 2023, we quickly realized the profound impact it could have on both the environment and the local communities. Seeing the positive changes first hand reinforced our commitment to this cause. We are excited to extend our partnership and continue contributing to the restoration of native flora and the overall health of our ecosystem. We believe that by working closely with BSL and other partners, we can certainly achieve this and create a sustainable future."

“We are always very grateful for the support we receive from our sponsors and partners in conserving this beautiful country. Our special thanks to HNB Assurance and Bio Diversity Sri Lanka in coming forward once again to support this important initiative”, said Mr Keith Wijesuriya, Chair of FEO Sri Lanka.

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."

HNB Assurance is extremely pleased of its selection as a finalist in two prestigious international awards: The Mob-Ex Awards and The Drum Awards. The company's innovative campaigns, "Sinha Rave" and "Dola Duka Delivery," have earned recognition on a global stage, competing alongside top international brands.

The "Sinha Rave" campaign, shortlisted for the Mob-Ex Awards, was an outcome of HNB Assurance's adoption of mobile marketing to drive better customer engagement. This campaign demonstrated exceptional creativity and effectiveness in engaging customers through the use of an AR filter. Further this campaign successfully leveraged on the highly talked-about 2023 Cricket World Cup, with the company gaining high brand visibility and customer interaction on social media.

Simultaneously, the "Dola Duka Delivery" campaign was acknowledged by The Drum Awards for its innovative approach and impact. The Drum Awards celebrate excellence in marketing and communications worldwide and being a finalist in this category underlines the success of this campaign which was aimed at fulfilling the cravings of expectant mothers, all across the island.

"We are deeply honored to be finalists in both the Mob-Ex and The Drum Awards. This achievement is truly a testament to the hard work and creativity of our team, who continue to push the boundaries of innovation within the space of marketing communications in the insurance sector. Competing on a global stage with renowned brands and to be the only Sri Lankan Insurance Company recognized, is a significant milestone for us, so, I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the teams involved and convey my sincere thanks to all our partners." said Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne, CEO of HNB Assurance.

“In today's fast-paced world, staying at the forefront of novel and innovative marketing tactics is absolutely essential. We are extremely proud of these recognitions, as they reaffirm our approach and inspire us to keep identifying and executing new ways of delivering on our communication and marketing objectives while striving to serve as a benchmark to the industry," said Mr. Dinesh Yogaratnam, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer / General Manager of HNB Assurance. “I must take this opportunity to thank the teams of RN Media and Rubiq Creatives for partnering with us and helping bring these campaigns to life. Their expertise and collaboration have been crucial in executing 'Sinha Rave' and 'Dola Duka Delivery.' As we move forward, we are determined to reach our customers using cutting-edge technology and innovative approaches” added, Mr. Yogaratnam.