Business
HNB strikes Gold and Silver at SLIM DIGIS 2.2
Sri Lanka’s most digitally–savvy bank HNB PLC recently took home the Gold Award for Best Search Engine Optimisation/Search Engine Marketing and the Silver for the Best Use of Experiential Digital Marketing at the SLIM DIGIs 2.2 Awards.
Hosted by the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), the awards recognise the most innovative, impactful and unique marketing endeavours employing digital media in the country.
Commenting on the wins, HNB Head of Marketing, Upul Adikari said, “We have faced numerous unique challenges over the past three years as individuals and as a nation. Alongside these changes consumer behavior too has evolved dramatically, and we have had to take a step back to recalibrate, learn and understand this evolution in the digital sphere. Our strategy over the last year was to be in the right place with the right messages to fully leverage the organic traffic driven into our platforms and we are delighted to be recognized in these efforts at the SLIM DIGIs 2.2.”
The Gold award for Best SEO/SEM Campaign was presented for the Bank’s ‘Maximising Organic Traffic’ campaign. Under this category, HNB was adjudged on its ability to conduct comprehensive search campaigns encompassing elements of search engine optimisation and digital marketing.
The bank was also presented with a Silver Award for its innovative approach to experiential digital marketing, leveraging campaigns like the SOLO Experiential Drive with SOLO Pola and SOLO Podi Podi Business to raise awareness and engage customers with HNB’s digital innovations.
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon Group has posted robust results for the first quarter of 2025, reporting a net profit of Rs 14.97 billion—up 38.52% year-on-year—on the back of healthy growth in income, assets, and loan advances.
In a stock exchange filing, the Group, which includes Sri Lanka’s largest private sector bank, its subsidiaries, and an associate, reported a 4.27% increase in total assets to Rs 2.999 trillion as of March 31, 2025.
Gross income rose 9.85% to Rs 88.1 billion, while net interest income surged 23.53% to Rs 34.21 billion. Operating income grew by 33.4% to Rs 46.62 billion, and net operating income increased by 25% to Rs 39.39 billion.
Despite a 110.44% increase in impairment provisions, pre-tax profit grew by 34.77% to Rs 22.56 billion, with after-tax profit rising sharply due to effective cost management and improved asset quality.
Chairman Sharhan Muhseen highlighted the milestone of nearing Rs 3 trillion in assets, while MD/CEO Sanath Manatunge noted gains in net interest margin, CASA ratio (now at 39.51%), and a significantly improved Stage 3 loan ratio of 2.58%.
With a capital adequacy ratio well above regulatory requirements and a liquidity coverage ratio exceeding 500%, Commercial Bank remains firmly positioned for continued growth in 2025.
Ceylinco Life, Sri Lanka’s life insurance market leader, recently celebrated its top sales officers at a spectacular two-day event held at Cinnamon Life, Colombo’s premier leisure and entertainment destination. The event combined the company’s ‘High Flyers Day’ and Annual Awards gala, honoring over 250 elite sales officers with 350 awards, including automobiles, for their outstanding achievements in 2024.
The celebrations featured fine dining, entertainment, and overnight accommodation for the honorees. The Annual Awards ceremony, themed ‘Crowning the Titans,’ was graced by distinguished guests from Swiss Re Asia Pacific, Daisy Ning and Sunayana Mahansaria.
2024 marked Ceylinco Life’s 21st consecutive year of market leadership, with gross written premiums reaching Rs 37.14 billion and consolidated income at Rs 65.54 billion. The company paid a record Rs 25 billion in net claims and benefits, while its Life Fund and investment portfolio grew significantly.
Top awardees included M. Manojan (Best Agency Head), S. Ragini (Best Agency Supervisor), A. I. P. Manjula (Best Life Insurance Advisor), and J. Meera (Best Regional Sales Manager).
Dr. Sachini Aththanayaka, Director of Sayora Healthcare (Pvt) Ltd, has been awarded the Excellency Award in the Beauty, Health, and Wellness Services category at the prestigious Entro Queen Excellence – Leading Lady in Business Awards 2025. Recognised for her pioneering work in integrative wellness, Dr. Sachini has transformed Sayora Healthcare into a hub for holistic care, blending modern medicine with natural therapies.
“This recognition motivates me to keep raising the bar, not just for Sayora Healthcare, but for the entire industry,” she said, dedicating the award to women striving for impact in business and beyond.
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