Business
Seylan Bank’s Islamic Banking Wins Gold at SLIBFI Awards 2019 and Bronze at IFSSA Awards 2020 for Islamic Finance Deal of the Year
Seylan Bank PLC’s Islamic Banking Unit has placed Sri Lanka prominently in the world of Islamic Finance, securing the joint Gold Award for Deal of the Year 2019 at the recently concluded Sri Lanka Islamic Banking and Finance Industry (SLIBFI) Awards 2019 and Bronze for the same deal at the regional Islamic Finance Forum of South Asia (IFFSA) Awards 2020. Seylan Bank was recognized for successfully financing a Diminishing Musharaka Facility to Timex Bukinda Hydro (U) Ltd as part of a syndicate facility.
The SLIBFI Awards, the premium industry awards for Islamic Finance in Sri Lanka, are presented in conjunction with KPMG, whose key role is to ensure an impartial evaluation process. An independent panel of judges of repute assist in the final adjudications, under the guidance of KPMG. The IFFSA Awards recognize the high achievers in the South Asian region for their efforts in Islamic Banking and Finance during 2019 with industry leading practitioners from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, India, and other South Asian Countries competing alongside Sri Lanka for accolades.
“Islamic banking is broadly adopted around the world and the preferred choice for some of our clients. Seylan Bank’s Islamic Banking Unit takes pride in being able to facilitate such an important deal for our client. Furthermore, this multiple award-winning deal has also placed Sri Lanka firmly in the global Islamic Finance map” said Ramesh Jayasekara, Chief Operating Officer, Seylan Bank.
The Timex Bukinda Hydro (U) Ltd project transaction has resulted in Sri Lanka understanding the proficiencies and capabilities of Islamic Banking and Financing which has a mere 20-year history in the country. It also portrays Sri Lanka’s own management expertise and engineering capabilities in establishing hydro power plants overseas, thereby putting Sri Lanka on the Global Islamic Banking map.
Speaking on the dual awards M Z Sameer Mohamed, Head- Islamic Banking Unit – Seylan Bank stated, “We are very humbled by the recognition this transaction has received from the wider Islamic Finance community. It has firmly placed Sri Lanka as a partner of choice for future cross border transactions via Sharia compliant platforms, and also created confidence in Foreign Investors and other leading Islamic Financial institutions to obtain more syndicate financing facilities in achieving their corporate goals, which as a result would promote Islamic Finance.”
Seylan Bank, the Bank with a Heart, operates with a vision to offer the ultimate banking experience to its valued customers through cutting-edge technology, innovative products, and best-in-class service. The Bank has a growing clientele of SMEs, Retail and Corporate Customers and has expanded its footprint with 173 branches across the country and an ATM network of 216 units. Seylan Bank has been endorsed as a financially stable organisation with performance excellence across the board by Fitch Ratings, with the bank’s national long-term rating revised upward, from ‘A-(lka)’ to ‘A (lka)’. The bank was ranked second among public listed companies for transparency in corporate reporting by Transparency Global. Seylan Bank has also been named the Most Popular Banking Service Provider in Sri Lanka in Customer Experience by LMD consecutively in 2019 and 2020. These achievements are a testament to Seylan Bank’s financial stability and unwavering dedication to ensure excellence across all endeavours.
Business
ANC Campus and Adelaide University launch new Australian study pathway for Lankan students
ANC Campus has announced the launch of a formal articulation partnership with Adelaide University at Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo, creating a clear progression pathway for Sri Lankan students seeking an Australian university degree.
Through this pathway, students can begin their university-level studies at ANC Campus in Sri Lanka before progressing to Adelaide University in Australia, subject to the relevant academic, English language, and entry requirements. By completing the first year through ANC’s Australian Diploma pathway in Sri Lanka, students can significantly reduce the overall cost of their Australian education journey, with estimated first-year savings of up to LKR 13 million when tuition and living expenses are considered.
The launch was attended by representatives of ANC Campus, Adelaide University, and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), alongside members of the media, students, parents, and invited guests. Austrade’s presence highlighted the continued importance of Australia-Sri Lanka education links.
Speaking at the launch, Dayan D. L. Fernando, Chief Executive Officer of ANC Campus, said the partnership gives Sri Lankan students a credible and well-supported route into Australian higher education.
“For over two decades, ANC has worked with international university partners to help Sri Lankan students begin their global education journey with the right academic preparation and guidance. This partnership with Adelaide University gives students a clearer route to an Australian degree and gives parents greater confidence in the pathway their children are choosing,” he said.
Fernando added that international education is one of the most important decisions a family makes, and proper guidance is essential.
“At ANC, our responsibility is to guide students correctly. We must help them understand the pathway, the requirements, the destination, and the opportunities ahead. ANC prepares students for the highest likelihood of success.
Business
Union Assurance honours new batch of certified financial advisers
Union Assurance PLC, Sri Lanka’s longest-standing private Life Insurer, recently hosted the SLIM Certified Financial Adviser Graduation Ceremony at its Head Office premises, recognising 38 professionals who successfully completed the programme, a milestone that reflects the company’s focus on building a highly capable and accredited sales force.
The Certified Financial Adviser programme, delivered in partnership with the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), the National Body of Marketing in Sri Lanka, which was designed to elevate the expertise of the company’s high performing adviser force. Spanning 11 comprehensive modules covering areas such as Advanced Consultative Selling Skills, Negotiation Mastery, Digital Prospecting Techniques, and Emotional Resilience in Sales, participants underwent a rigorous learning journey that concluded with a formal assignment, bringing the full cohort to completion.
The programme reflects Union Assurance’s commitment to ensuring its advisers are positioned to serve customers with confidence, credibility, and genuine understanding of their needs; values that are central to the company’s purpose of protecting what matters most. The SLIM qualification also opens a structured educational pathway for graduates, with opportunities to advance through further nationally recognised certifications.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Agency Officer at Union Assurance, Imtiyaz Aniff stated: “We are pleased to recognise the dedication of our people who committed to this programme alongside their core responsibilities. The SLIM certification equips our advisers with the skills and credentials to serve our customers at a higher standard, and that directly supports the quality of advice we deliver. We look forward to seeing this cohort carry forward what they have learned and continue to grow in their careers.”
Union Assurance is a subsidiary of John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), the largest conglomerate listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange, operating with over 80 companies in 7 diverse industry sectors. The Company has completed nearly four decades of success with a Market Capitalisation of Rs. 45.6 Bn and a Life Fund of Rs. 92.8 Bn as of end December 2025. Set to protect lives and enrich the well-being of all Sri Lankans, Union Assurance offers Life Insurance solutions that cover the health, investment, protection, retirement and education needs of Sri Lankans. With an island-wide branch network and a workforce that is over 3000-strong, Union Assurance continues to invest in people, products and processes with a customer-centric focus to be responsive to emerging changes in the Life Insurance industry.
Business
HNB Life Celebrates Leadership Excellence with Fourth Consecutive ‘Company with Great Managers’ Recognition
HNB Life continues to strengthen its position as one of Sri Lanka’s most people centric organizations, securing the prestigious Company with Great Managers recognition for the fourth consecutive year at the Great Manager Awards 2025. Seven of its outstanding leaders, Alan Baker, Rangamal Bandara, N. Galagedera, Lalith Hapangama, Ruwan Chandana, Hiran Chandimal, and Shanil De Silva, were individually recognized at the Great Manager Awards 2025, highlighting the depth of leadership excellence across the organization.
The recognition comes at a defining moment in the Company’s journey, as HNB Assurance evolves into HNB Life, marking a bold new chapter built on a 25 year legacy of trust.
Commenting on the achievement, Executive Director / Chief Executive Officer of HNB Life, Lasitha Wimalaratne stated, “Firstly, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all our Great Manager Award winners. Being named a ‘Company with Great Managers’ for the fourth consecutive year is a proud reflection of the strength and consistency of our leadership culture. As we embrace our transformation into HNB Life, this recognition holds even greater significance. As we aspire to grow and reach new heights, it is this strong foundation of leadership that will continue to guide our journey.”
Executive Vice President / Chief People Officer, Navin Rupasinghe, added,”Our culture has always been our greatest differentiator. This recognition reflects the environment we have created, one where individuals feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.”
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