Business
HNB ‘Diri Daru’ rewards over 2,500 children
HNB ‘Diri Daru’, Sri Lanka’s largest scholarship programme, which presents cash prizes and scholarships to students who successfully pass the grade five scholarship exam and who have a HNB ‘Singithi’ account, rewarded over 2,500 students prizes exceeding Rs. 20 million in value, in its latest edition.
To be eligible to receive prizes and scholarships under the flagship national scholarship programme of Sri Lanka’s leading private bank, students with ‘Singithi’ accounts sitting for the grade five scholarship exam should maintain a minimum balance of Rs. 10,000. Any student who meets this criterion, and who achieves the cut-off mark, is entitled to a cash prize of Rs. 5,000, which will be doubled to Rs. 10,000 if there is a monthly standing order of a minimum of Rs. 500 in place for the account.
“This is the only programme in Sri Lanka to reward all student exceeding the cut-off mark, while meeting the minimum balance requirement,” HNB Chief Manager / Head of Deposits, Viranga Gamage said. “Hence, the Diri Daru scheme benefits thousands of Sri Lanka’s future leaders, each year. It also presents an opportunity for parents to start accumulating funds for their child’s future needs, educational and otherwise.”
HNB was Sri Lanka’s first bank to introduce a branded minor savings account in 1991. Commencing initially with scholarships to top performing students at the all island and district level, the bank has expanded its scholarship programs over the years to include high-achieving GCE and London O/L and A/L students and eventually to any grade five scholarship exam student who achieves the cut-off mark, while maintaining the minimum balance required.
The scholarship scheme extended to GCE and London O/L and A/L student will offer a cash prize of Rs. 25,000, if the HNB accountholder passes the exam successfully. HNB will also provide 100 O/L students and 50 A/L students the cash prize if an account balance of Rs. 25,000 and 35,000 is maintained.
Parents can open a Singithi Lama/HNB Teen Account on behalf of their child with a minimum initial deposit of Rs. 500.
HNB has utilised the Singithi and HNB Teen products to inculcate the savings habit and create interest on savings among young Sri Lankans, especially by linking savings to consistent and tangible rewards. Through this, the bank aims to enhance financial literacy among Sri Lanka’s youth, which is critical for their future, while also providing them with valuable gifts.
HNB is a pioneer in minor savings, offering a comprehensive range of products designed to add value to its young customers. The ‘Singithi Kirikatiyo’ Account is specially designed for new born children and can be opened by parents within three months from the child’s date of birth. The account offers one of the highest interest rates and the bank will gift a free deposit of Rs. 1,000 at the time of opening the account. In addition, accountholders are entitled to special gifts on their birthday relative to the account balance maintained. On reaching five years, each account will be automatically converted to a HNB Singithi account and into a HNB Teen account at the age of 13.
With 254 customer centres across the country, HNB is one of Sri Lanka’s largest, most technologically innovative banks, having won local and global recognition for its efforts to drive forward a new paradigm in digital banking. The bank was ranked among the World Top 1,000 Banks list compiled by the prestigious UK-based Banker Magazine for five consecutive years and declared Best Sub-Custodian Bank in Sri Lanka at the Global Finance Awards 2020. HNB has a national rating of AA- (lka) by Fitch Ratings (Lanka) Ltd
Company stresses ambition to surpass this milestone
Eyes markets across Africa and beyond
In a groundbreaking achievement for Sri Lanka’s IT and electronics manufacturing industry, EWIS Colombo Ltd, the country’s first and only local computer manufacturer, has successfully exported its first consignment of locally built laptops to Zimbabwe.
This landmark event not only positions Sri Lanka as an emerging force in global IT hardware manufacturing but also highlights EWIS’s commitment to innovation, quality, and excellence on the international stage.
This historic shipment, dispatched from EWIS’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Samajasewapura, Sooriyawewa, underscores the company’s dedication to delivering world-class technology solutions. With over 11 years of expertise in manufacturing and assembly, EWIS Colombo Ltd has played a pivotal role in driving Sri Lanka’s ICT sector forward. As a Board of Investment (BOI) Section 17-approved company, EWIS has established the country’s first and only local computer manufacturing plant, paving the way for the nation’s growth in high-tech exports.
Speaking on this momentous achievement, Sanjeewa Wickramanayake, Chairman of EWIS Colombo Ltd, said: “This milestone is not just for EWIS but for Sri Lanka as a whole. It proves that our country has the talent, capability, and ambition to manufacture and export high-quality IT products, competing confidently on the global stage. As we continue expanding beyond local markets, we take immense pride in showcasing Sri Lanka’s excellence in technology and innovation to the world. EWIS’s commitment to world-class quality is reinforced by its ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, CE, FCC, and RoHS certifications, ensuring compliance with international quality, safety, and environmental standards.”
Speaking further he said:
“For nearly four decades, EWIS has been a trailblazer in Sri Lanka’s ICT sector, delivering cutting-edge solutions for education, businesses, and government enterprises.
With over 11 years of local manufacturing and assembly expertise, EWIS has continuously refined its capabilities to produce high-quality, internationally competitive IT hardware. The successful export to Zimbabwe represents a bold step toward expanding EWIS’s global footprint, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s potential as a world-class technology and manufacturing hub.”
Dialog Television, Sri Lanka’s #1 Pay-TV service provider, has partnered with Emerging Media to enhance the convenience and effectiveness of advertising. This collaboration brings together Dialog Television’s world-class entertainment, featuring 18 advertisable channels across genres such as movies, edutainment, kids, music, sports, and local content, with Emerging Media’s expertise in digital advertising and targeted marketing. This synergy creates a seamless platform for businesses to maximize brand exposure across multiple channels.
With a reach of over 1.7 million households, Dialog Television provides advertisers with a powerful avenue to engage diverse audiences. Brands can place advertisements on leading international and local channels such as &flix, Star Movies, TLC, Animal Planet, AXN, Zee Café, Comedy Central, Star Plus, A+, Nickelodeon, Star Vijay, Zee Tamil, Star Sports, Ten Cricket, Sony SIX, ThePapare TV, Channel One, Citi Hitz and Channel C. Through this partnership, Emerging Media will facilitate advertising sales, allowing businesses to target specific viewer segments while simplifying the media buying process with a single point of contact.
Commenting on the partnership, Lim Li San, Group Chief Operating Officer at Dialog Axiata PLC, stated, “As Sri Lanka’s premier Pay-TV service provider, we serve more than 1.7 million households with over 6 million pairs of captive eyeballs across Sri Lanka. Today, we are excited to embark on this partnership with Emerging Media to avail our Dialog Television platform and brand strength to provide quality advertisement exposure and customer engagement to local businesses across Sri Lanka.”
The International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS), a pioneer in healthcare training for over 23 years, has partnered with the University of Surrey, UK, to revolutionise healthcare education in Sri Lanka and the broader South Asian region. This will create a world-class academic pathway for aspiring nursing and healthcare professionals, as well as young individuals seeking careers in the field. Under this agreement, IIHS and the University of Surrey will introduce a series of academic initiatives to enhance healthcare training and accessibility.
These include delivering internationally recognised nursing programmes that allow Sri Lankan and regional students to earn globally competitive qualifications in Sri Lanka.
Commenting on the move, Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe, CEO & Dean of Undergraduate Studies at IIHS, said: “This MOU marks a significant step in our mission to deliver world-class healthcare education to Sri Lanka and the region. IIHS remains dedicated to shaping the future of healthcare professionals and fostering global healthcare leadership.” Dr. Shelini Surendran, Associate Dean (International) at the University of Surrey, emphasised: “Sri Lanka is establishing itself as a regional education hub, and this partnership ensures students across Asia can access top-tier UK healthcare education at IIHS. By bridging academic excellence with accessibility, we provide students with a clear pathway to their professional goals.”
French Navy Ship PROVENCE arrives in Port of Colombo
Court of Appeal dismisses Ex-IGP’s writ petition
Trump moves to close down Voice of America
-
Foreign News2 days agoSearch continues in Dominican Republic for missing student Sudiksha Konanki
-
News6 days agoAlfred Duraiappa’s relative killed in Canada shooting
-
Features5 days agoRichard de Zoysa at 67
-
Editorial7 days agoGhosts refusing to fade away
-
Midweek Review6 days agoRanil in Head-to-Head controversy
-
Features5 days agoSL Navy helping save kidneys
-
Features7 days agoThe Gypsies…one year at a time
-
Latest News3 days agoDebutant Madara, Athapaththu fashion Sri Lanka women’s first T20I win in New Zealand