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HNB’s Damith Pallewatte named Sri Lanka’s ‘Bank CEO of the Year 2025’

Published

1 week ago

2026/03/1

HNB’s Managing Director and CEO, Damith Pallewatte receiving the award for Sri Lanka’s ‘Bank CEO of the Year 2025’ from Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka

Following a record breaking year for Sri Lanka’s largest private sector retail bank, HNB PLC’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Damith Pallewatte, was named Sri Lanka’s ‘Bank CEO of the Year 2025’ by the Global CEO Forum.

The CEO of the Year Awards – which was hosted at Cinnamon Grand Colombo, recognises leadership excellence in the corporate sector across organisational performance, governance standards and industry impact, and serves as a national platform that brings together senior business leaders alongside key representatives from Government and the diplomatic community.

HNB’s robust risk governance framework, unique innovations drive and expansion of digital capability, transformation of its people and processes and clearly defined 5-year strategy focused on accelerating growth and revitalizing the grassroots economy were among the key considerations underpinning the recognition of the best CEO Award.

“Since inception, HNB has served as a reliable and trusted partner in Sri Lanka’s growth story. Since my appointment almost two years ago first in the acting capacity, our goal has been to protect and enhance this legacy.

We have stayed true to our roots, with great initiatives like Gami Pubuduwa and Sarusara working to build financial inclusion, and create ecosystems in which MSMSEs can thrive, connect to value chains, and even build export capacity.

“Especially over the past year, we were very strategic about growing our loan book in order to channel support, resources and expertise to sectors within the Sri Lankan economy with an exponential growth potential. Over the next 5 years, we aim to accelerate these efforts leveraging digital innovation to empower a new generation of entrepreneurs to take Sri Lankan products to the world. And we plan to be with them every step of the way,” HNB PLC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Damith Pallewatte said.

Pallewatte’s award follows a year of sustained momentum for HNB PLC. During the year, the Group recorded strong growth in profitability, alongside continued balance sheet expansion, with the Bank’s asset base expanding to Rs 2.39 trillion as at end-December 2025. For the year ended 31 December 2025, HNB reported Group PAT of Rs 49.8 billion and Bank PAT of Rs 45.4 billion, while Gross Loans and Advances exceeded Rs 1.5 trillion and deposits crossed Rs 2.0 trillion at Group level, reflecting consistent progress across the period.

HNB’s performance demonstrated an emphasis on scaling growth with discipline. This was reflected in sustained improvements in asset quality, and capital and liquidity buffers maintained above regulatory minimums despite notable growth in the bank’s loan portfolio. During the year, the Bank also secured ISO 22301:2019 Business Continuity Management certification, reinforcing its focus on operational resilience and service continuity.

Pallewatte brings a background spanning banking, credit, operations, strategy and risk management. He was appointed Managing Director and CEO of HNB PLC with effect from 22 November 2024, following his earlier appointment as Acting CEO, in April 2024 and has held senior leadership roles across the organisation, including within wholesale banking and risk management leadership.

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Cabinet nod to include the National Savings Bank for the Interest-Free Loan Scheme for Students

Published

15 mins ago

2026/03/10

Priyan

The Interest-Free Loan Scheme is implemented to follow government-recognized degree programs in non-governmental higher education institutions for students who have passed the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) Examination and have not been eligible to enter a state university.

At present, the People’s Bank and the Bank of Ceylon are the banks that are granting loans under the aforementioned loan scheme. It has been planned to provide loan facilities for 7,000 students under stage 10 of the aforementioned loan scheme.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Prime Minister in her capacity as the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education to include the National Savings Bank as a bank that grants loans for students under the aforementioned loan scheme, in addition to the People’s Bank and Bank of Ceylon.

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PM holds bilateral meetings in the Philippines to strengthen cooperation in Education, Skills Development, and Agricultural Research

Published

4 hours ago

2026/03/10

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya held a series of meetings with key Philippine institutions during her official visit to the Philippines from 09–11 March 2026, focusing on strengthening cooperation in education, higher education, technical skills development, and agricultural research.

On 09 March, the Prime Minister met with the Secretary of Education of the Philippines, Sonny Angara. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the education sector, including sharing best practices in education policy, teacher training, curriculum reforms, and digital learning initiatives. The Prime Minister also briefed the Philippine delegation on Sri Lanka’s ongoing education reforms aimed at modernizing curricula and integrating technology into learning.

The Prime Minister also met with a delegation of the Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines (CHED), led by Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis. Discussions centered on the development of higher education in both countries, with particular attention to research collaboration, academic partnerships between universities, student and faculty exchanges, and strengthening quality assurance frameworks.

In a separate meeting, the Prime Minister held talks with the Secretary and Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Jose Francisco B. Benitez. The discussions focused on cooperation in technical and vocational education and training (TVET), including knowledge sharing, institutional partnerships, and possible alignment of qualifications frameworks to enhance skills recognition and workforce mobility.

The meetings reaffirmed the commitment of Sri Lanka and the Philippines, along with international research institutions, to strengthen collaboration in education, skills development, and agricultural research in support of sustainable development and human capital growth.

The Sri Lankan delegation included the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Philippines, Dr. Chanaka Talpahewa, and Senior Assistant Secretary to the Prime Minister, Ms. P.H. Piyumee Bandara.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and Monaragala district.

Published

10 hours ago

2026/03/10

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. on 09 March 2026, valid for 10 March 2026.

The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body.

This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on the human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.