NDB Bank has renewed its membership with the Parenthood Global Association for the second consecutive year, reaffirming its strong commitment to fostering a workplace culture that supports, empowers, and understands the needs of working parents. This renewed partnership underscores NDB’s belief that an inclusive and equitable work environment must make space for the realities and responsibilities of modern parenthood.

The Parenthood Global Association is dedicated to helping organisations build family-friendly workplaces that nurture well-being, productivity, and work-life integration. NDB’s continued affiliation with this prestigious body reflects the Bank’s sustained efforts to enhance the support systems available to employees navigating both professional responsibilities and parental duties.

For NDB, supporting working parents goes beyond policy, it is an extension of the Bank’s human-centric philosophy and its commitment to creating an environment where every employee feels valued and understood. Through this partnership, the Bank continues to strengthen structures that enable parents to thrive, including flexibility initiatives, parental support mechanisms, wellness resources, and awareness-building across the organisation.

These efforts reinforce NDB’s broader Diversity & Inclusion agenda, which seeks to champion equality across all demographics while cultivating a workplace built on empathy, understanding, and opportunity. By renewing its membership with the Parenthood Global Association, NDB reiterates its dedication to ensuring that its employees—especially those juggling multiple roles—have access to the tools, support, and inclusive culture they need to succeed both at work and at home.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Shannon Cowlin as its new Country Director for Sri Lanka. She assumed office in Colombo today.

“I am honored to be appointed Country Director of ADB’s Sri Lanka Resident Mission,” Ms. Cowlin said. “For many years, ADB has been a trusted partner of Sri Lanka, supporting the country through significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent economic crisis. As Sri Lanka continues on its path to recovery, ADB remains firmly committed to assisting the nation in rebuilding and strengthening its resilience, including addressing the impacts and damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Looking ahead, we will continue to work closely with the Government, development partners, and communities to promote sustainable growth and create new opportunities.”

Ms. Cowlin has over 26 years of professional experience, including 13 years with ADB. Her expertise spans investment project operations, policy engagement, and knowledge work across the fields of energy, climate, the environment, air quality, public health, and the energy–food–water nexus. Most recently, she served as Country Director of ADB’s Mongolia Resident Mission, where she led strategy and operations since 2023.

Prior to joining ADB, Ms. Cowlin was a manager at the United States (US) National Renewable Energy Laboratory, where she led US–India and South Asia regional energy cooperation efforts. A national of the US, Ms. Cowlin holds a master’s degree in environmental health sciences and a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering sciences from the University of California, Berkeley.

Atlas Axillia, together with the generous contributions of its employees, donated exercise books and learning equipment worth Rs. 7 million to support children affected by recent disasters and those from underprivileged backgrounds in the Badulla District. The donated materials were distributed with the facilitation of the Chief Secretariat Office of Uva Provincial Council, supporting over 1,800 schoolchildren at the start of the new academic term. The donation was carried out under Atlas Sipsavi, Atlas’s flagship initiative guided by its commitment to ensuring no child is left behind.

Commenting on the initiative, Indrajith Binduhewa, Director of Sales and Operations Atlas Axillia Co. (Pvt) Ltd, stated, “We are deeply grateful to our employees, whose willingness to come together with genuine care and compassion made this initiative possible. Their support, combined with the company’s contribution, speaks to the values we stand for as an organisation. More than a donation, this is our way of standing beside children and families, offering them /hope and continuity through education during an incredibly difficult time.”

The donation of equipment took place under the guidance of Ms. Anusha Gokula Fernando, the Chief Secretary of Uva Province. She further noted that the timely distribution of equipment played a crucial role in enabling affected children to return to school with essential learning materials.

As Sri Lanka’s leading learning brand, Atlas continues to uphold a promise built over generations to stand by children, safeguard their right to learn, and ensure that no child is left behind, today and in the future.