Connect with us

Business

HNB Assurance launches SupremeHealth Unlimited

Published

on

HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) a leading life insurance service provider in the country recently launched their SupremeHealth Unlimited an all-inclusive medical rider cover. This comprehensive health Insurance covers an array of special benefits giving the best in terms of a premium Health Insurance for oneself, their kids, parents, and parent in-laws. HNBA’s newest cover SupremeHealth Unlimited offers multiple features that equips customers with a best-in-class health care safety so that they may avail themselves of treatment both here and overseas offering peace of mind to individuals and their families with assured protection during these unpredictable circumstances in life.

Speaking about the product, Lasitha Wimalaratne Chief Executive Officer of HNBA stated, “I believe having a health insurance cover is a necessity especially considering the unprecedented medical inflation in the recent past, so that you could prepare in advance during an unforeseen situation in life. Our Supreme Health Unlimited will be an excellent choice for those who are keen on fulfilling and protecting their health and financial wellbeing. This cover provides a range of optimal healthcare services with a comprehensive hospitalisation and surgical coverage coupled with a global healthcare cover up to Rs. 75 Mn with a selection from a range of 28 plans and includes a worldwide Cashless Claims Settlement service. I invite people to talk to us, refer our website, or talk to one of our insurance advisors or Bancassurance Officers and get information on this most novel proposition”.

Dinesh Udawatta Chief Technical Officer of HNBA articulated his views stating, “the new Supreme Health Unlimited cover is a great initiative designed to pitch the current market trends so that the company could retain its competitive advantage especially in times when medical expenses are a cause of concern for many. The product offers an OPD cover, Ayurvedic Treatment Cover, reimbursement of Hospital Room, Board, and ICU ward with no sub limits. Additionally, the policyholder will be provided with optional covers that cover the expenses incurred towards optical, maternity, and dental care. The policy holder will also be entitled to a No Claim Bonus up to 100%, restore and many more benefits. What’s more policyholders could avail themselves of the best medical care both here and overseas with the exception of USA and Canada and also enjoy the convenience of Cashless hospital bill settlement”.

Chief Actuarial Officer of HNBA, Nalin Subasinghe expressed his views stating, “HNBA is committed to offer flexible and innovative product offerings and SupremeHealth Unlimited will spearhead the health insurance domain and provide the customer an ease of mind for health-related requirements”.

HNB Assurance SupremeHealth Unlimited provides you the luxury of cherishing life with your loved ones ensuring the protection and care while enjoying the benefits of the best health plan above all. To avail yourself the benefits of Supreme Health Unlimited we invite you to contact HNBA on 1301 or visit www.hnbassurance.com

HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) is a leading Life Insurance Company 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’.



Business

Colombo Tea Auction: BOP struggles while lower-grade teas gain

Published

on

The varieties of Ceylon Black Tea include Broken Orange Pekoe Fanning’s (BOPF), Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe Fanning’s (FBOPF), Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe Fanning’s one (FBOPF 1) etc.

Analysts see budget-conscious international buying amid global economic pressures

This week’s Sri Lanka tea auction recorded the highest volume since February, with total offerings reaching 6.45 million kilograms (M/Kgs). However, the market displayed a mixed performance, with high-quality Broken Orange Pekoe (BOP) varieties facing price declines while lower-end teas saw appreciation.

Select Western BOP/BOPF teas, typically among the most sought-after, dropped by over Rs. 100 per kg, while others in the category saw smaller declines. Nuwara Eliya BOPs, known for their delicate flavor were mostly unsold, and when sold, fetched up to Rs. 200 per kg less than previous levels. Uva BOPs also declined by up to Rs. 50 per kg, reflecting weaker demand for premium liquoring teas.

In contrast, teas at the lower end of the market fared better. Below Best BOPs remained steady, while BOPFs in the same category fell by Rs. 50 per kg or more, influenced by inconsistent quality. Meanwhile, Low Grown PF1s (CTC grade) saw a firmer trend, with some appreciation in value.

The Leafy and Semi-Leafy sector saw Select Best BOP1s maintain stable prices, while OP1s (Orange Pekoe) were irregular—well-made varieties eased, but others appreciated. In the Tippy segment, high-priced FBOPs dipped, but Best and Below Best grades held firm, with the lowest-end teas gaining value.

Despite price corrections, all categories met fair demand, with Low Growns dominating at 2.6 M/Kgs. The Premium catalogue showed selective firmness for very tippy teas, while others eased or declined.

Analysts suggest that the dip in high-quality teas may reflect subdued demand from key export markets, while the resilience of lower-grade teas indicates steady domestic and budget-conscious international buying.

“With global economic pressures persisting, auction trends may continue fluctuating in the coming weeks,” they said.

– Reported using data from Forbes & Walker Tea Brokers

By Sanath Nanayakkare

Continue Reading

Business

CBSL releases publication on financial statements for 2024

Published

on

The publication on the Financial Statements and Operations of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka 2024, a requirement under Section 99(2) of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No 16 of 2023, was presented to the President and the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, by Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, 29 April.

Dr. N S Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, Ms. Lasanthi Sirimanne, Chief Accountant and Ms. Samudra Jayasundera, Director Policy Review and Monitoring Department of the Central Bank were also present at this occasion.

The Financial Statements and Operations of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka 2024 present an overview of the Central Bank’s institutional performance during the year 2024. The publication is structured into three main components: Operational Insights, Financial Statements, and Supplementary Information.

The Operational Insights section outlines the Central Bank’s strategy and its core responsibilities, including maintaining domestic price stability, ensuring financial system stability, overseeing payment and settlement systems, managing currency issuance, and strategic communication. This section also covers the Bank’s international engagements, the execution of other entrusted responsibilities including agency functions, and internal management arrangements.

The Financial Statements section presents the IFRS-compliant financial statements of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for the year ended 31 December 2024, along with the independent report of the Auditor General. This segment also includes a financial review, providing an analysis of the Bank’s financial performance during the year.

The Supplementary Information section provides details on the Bank’s regional presence, the list of institutions regulated and supervised by the Central Bank, and a summary of corporate information.

The interactive PDF of this publication can be accessed through; https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/en/publications/economic-and-financial-reports/financial-statements-operations

Continue Reading

Business

Emirates deepens strategic partnership with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau to support local travel industry

Published

on

At the Arabian Travel Market 2025, Emirates and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) have renewed their partnership aimed at further developing the country’s tourism and trade industries. The partnership was sealed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties.

The MoU was signed by Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Emirates’ Senior Vice President of Commercial West Asia & Indian Ocean and Sampath Nissanka, Managing Director – Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. The signing ceremony was also attended by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer; Alexi Gunasekera, Consul General-designate of Sri Lanka to Dubai and the Northern Emirates in addition to other representatives of the airline and tourism board.

First inked in 2022, the renewed MoU will strengthen the collaboration between Emirates and SLTPB, with both the airline and tourism body reiterating their commitment to actively promote Sri Lanka as a destination to key markets within Emirates’ network.

Through joint initiatives, such as developing excursions and familiarization trips to promote the island nation to key feeder markets, Emirates and SLTPB aim to grow the tourism industry of the popular Indian Ocean destination by showcasing the destination to customers across the airline’s global network.

The joint efforts to boost the nation’s tourist industry have supported a steady increase in inbound traffic into the island, which recorded just over 2 million visitors in 2024. Between April 2024 and March 2025, Emirates carried over 240,000 passengers into Sri Lanka from key markets around its network including Russia, the UK, Germany, Australia, China, and the US, among others.

Continue Reading

Trending