HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI) recently announced the appointment of Mrs. Chiranthi Cooray as a Non-Independant / Non-Executive Director. The appointment was approved by the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka.
Mrs. Chiranthi Cooray currently serves as the Deputy General Manager / Chief Transformation Officer of Hatton National Bank PLC. She leads key transformations in digital, tech, product, service and people strategies to drive growth and support achievement of mid to long-term goals of the Bank, whilst facilitating change management and delivering business value. Chiranthi serves on the Boards of CSR Sri Lanka (Guarantee) Ltd and the Advisory Board of AISEC Sri Lanka. She also serves as a Trustee of the HNB Sustainability Foundation. She is a Past President of the Association of Human Resource Professionals, Sri Lanka.
Chiranthi holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Wales (Cardiff Metropolitan). She is a Senior Certified Professional SHRM, USA, and a Certified HR Professional from IPMA, USA. She has completed the CIMA (UK) exams and is awaiting admission to membership. Chiranthi was awarded the HR Leadership Award for Global HR Excellence organized by the World HR Congress in February, 2015. She has also been awarded the Gold Category at the Women for Governance Professional & Career Women Awards 2014/2015 by the Women in Management for her exceptional contribution and achievements in the field of Human Resources. Under her leadership the Hatton National Bank PLC has achieved many local and international awards in the last 10 years in the HR and Sustainability spheres. In 2017, Chiranthi served as the Chairwoman of the National Task Force to recommend a strategic road map to increase female labour force participation in Sri Lanka for the National HR Development Council of Sri Lanka.
HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI) was incorporated in January, 2015 and specializes in Motor and Non-Motor Insurance Solutions, and is presently one of the fastest growing General Insurance Companies in Sri Lanka, with a network of 56 branches. The Company is ranked within the Top 100 Brands and has been awarded a ‘National Insurer Financial Strength Rating’ of ‘’A’’ (lka) by Fitch Ratings Lanka Limited and has obtained the Great Place to Work® Certification and is a fully owned subsidiary of HNB Assurance PLC. HNBA, the Parent Company specializing in Life Insurance solutions is ranked within the Top 100 Brands and Top 100 Companies in Sri Lanka and has won multiple accolades for Brand Excellence, Digital Marketing and HR Excellence and many awards for its Annual Reports at award ceremonies organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and the South Asian Federation of Accountants.
October
HNB General Insurance (HNBGI) proudly announced the signing of a partnership agreement with the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM) affiliated to the University of Sri Jayewardenepura strengthening the collaboration dedicated to advancing leadership excellence, management capabilities and empowering employees to drive sustainable organizational growth. This partnership also marks the continuation of “HNBGI Elevation”, a Management Development Program with the inauguration of the second consecutive batch. HNBGI Elevation is designed to build future-ready managers who will transform the general insurance industry through critical skills in strategic decision-making and leadership development embodying its essence of “Leadership Beyond Limits”. “At HNB General Insurance, we believe that investing in our people is investing in the future,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, Director/CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This partnership with PIM reflects our commitment to nurturing leadership talent, empowering our employees and preparing them to take on tomorrow with confidence. Adding to this, Malsha Munasinghe, Head of Human Resources/ Assistant General Manager at HNB General Insurance stated “HNBGI Elevation is a vital platform that enables our employees to unlock their true potential, build confidence and develop into leaders who can navigate challenges and inspire teams. As we continue with the second batch, we look forward to shaping a culture of growth and leadership that benefits both our employees and the organization as a whole”. Together with PIM, one of Sri Lanka’s most prestigious postgraduate institutes, HNBGI is setting the foundation for a transformative learning journey that will shape the leaders of tomorrow.
September
HNBGI Better Tomorrow Marks Its Start with a Successful Community Clean-up Initiative HNB General Insurance launched its new flagship CSR initiative, “HNBGI Better Tomorrow,” with the first community clean-up event held recently. This initiative marks the start of a long-term commitment to sustainability, environmental responsibility, and stronger community engagement. The clean-up targeted a neglected alley adjacent to Nawam Mawatha, a route frequently used by hundreds of daily commuters as a shortcut to the Slave Island Railway Station and offices nearby. Previously littered with debris and waste, the alley had become unhygienic and unpleasant for the local community. More than just a clean-up, this effort reflected HNBGI’s dedication to fostering cleaner, safer surroundings, paving the way for a sustainable future that begins with our people and neighborhoods. Armed with brooms, garbage sacks, and other tools, the HNBGI team worked together to transform the alley into a safe, welcoming, and hygienic pathway for all who pass through. In line with ESG initiatives, HNBGI took the responsibility for maintaining this area, ensuring it remains a clean, safe, and well-kept pathway for the community. “Our vision for HNBGI Better Tomorrow is to create a meaningful, long-term platform where we contribute to both people and the planet,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, Director/ CEO of HNB General Insurance. “By starting with this clean-up, we are setting the tone for many impactful initiatives to come driving positive change step by step and ensuring a better tomorrow for all”. “This initiative goes beyond cleaning,” added Dilshan Perera, Chief Transformation Officer of HNB General Insurance. “It embodies our commitment to sustainable action, stronger community relationships, and building a hygienic, greener environment for everyone.” The event also reinforces HNBGI’s brand promise: Your Trusted Partner to Take on Tomorrow, demonstrating how proactive steps today can create lasting positive impact for communities and the environment. The transformed alley now offers a cleaner, safer, and more pleasant route, turning what used to be a daily challenge into a small moment of comfort for commuters.
December
HNB General Insurance (HNBGI) demonstrated its excellence by securing three prestigious awards at the National Sales Awards 2024, organized by the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM). This premier event is the pinnacle of recognition for sales professionals across industries in Sri Lanka. Reflecting HNBGI’s exceptional sales achievements during the 2023–24 period, the company’s Channel Development Manager, Danidu T. Galappaththi, clinched the coveted Silver Award under the National Sales Manager category. Danidu’s multifaceted contributions have been instrumental in driving HNBGI’s sales success. His leadership encompassed managing a dynamic sales team to achieve enhanced performance, leveraging innovative technologies, and adopting strategies such as product diversification and bundling to penetrate new market segments. In the Territory Manager category, Pulasthi Bandara, HNBGI Malabe Branch Manager, was honored with a Gold Award for his strategic planning capabilities, financial acumen, and strong communication skills which were pivotal in achieving sales targets and implementing best practices. In the same category, Ranga Deshan, Cluster Manager – Colombo South, HNBGI, won a Merit Award for his outstanding efforts in overseeing branch performance. His expertise in branch-level strategy, target achievement, and team development were critical to HNBGI’s consistent growth. Expressing his pride in the sales team’s accomplishments, Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNBGI, stated, “The steady sales growth we have achieved over the last few years is a testament to the dedication and exceptional performance of our sales force. At HNBGI, we ensure their hard work is recognized and celebrated internally but seeing them honored on a national stage is incredibly rewarding. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our award winners for their outstanding contributions to the company.” These accolades underscore HNBGI’s commitment to fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement within its sales force. The recognition at SLIM National Sales Awards 2024 solidifies HNBGI’s position as a leader in the industry, driven by a passionate and high-performing team.