(L-R) Executive - Sustainable Business, Shanel Perera, Head of Services Roshan Fernando, Head of Marketing, Upul Adikari, AGM-Strategy, Priyanka Wijayaratne, Managing Director/CEO, Damith Pallewatte, Chief Operating Officer, Sanjay Wijemanne, Chief Human Resources Officer, K. Indravasan, Head of Microfinance, Mahinda Seneviratne and Manager - Sustainable Business, Hemantha Seneviratne, with the awards won by HNB.
Consolidating on an unmatched reputation for responsible banking, Sri Lanka’s largest private sector retail bank, HNB PLC, was once again ranked among Sri Lanka’s Top 10 Best Corporate Citizens at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards (BCCSA) 2024.
Notably, this marks the 15th consecutive year HNB has earned this sought-after distinction, underscoring its enduring leadership in sustainability, corporate responsibility, and governance.
In addition to being placed among the Top 10 Best Corporate Citizens, HNB received three more prestigious accolades at the BCCSA 2024 awards, including recognition under the Triple Bottom Line Profit category, the Category Award for Economic Contribution, and the Best Project Sustainability award.
Commenting on the significance of the Bank’s outstanding performance at this year’s awards, HNB Managing Director/CEO, Damith Pallewatte said: “Our nation has reached a critical juncture. Moving forward, it is imperative that public and private sectors shoulder greater responsibility in the broader national effort to drive inclusive, sustainable development. This award serves as another important validation of HNB’s own efforts to lead this change, and we remain committed to serving as a steadfast partner in progress to all Sri Lankans.”
HNB’s success at BCCSA was attributed to its strategic focus on delivering efficient, ethical, and sustainable banking solutions to all segments of Sri Lankan society. Driven by an unwavering focus on securing equitable local and global partnerships that uplift both the rural and national economy.
Most recently, HNB has championed initiatives in green financing and sustainability, technological innovation, and community development, including facilitation of investments into critical infrastructure, and healthcare.
This includes pioneering initiatives like HNB Sarusara, which aim to transform Sri Lanka's agricultural sector, boost national food security, and improve livelihoods for farmers across Sri Lanka.
Through the Sarusara Programme, HNB is committed to revitalizing Sri Lanka's agriculture sector, uplifting rural economies, and enhancing national food security. Since launching in 2024, the programme as already engaged approximately 30,000 agripreneurs across the country by modernizing their agricultural practices and improving business outcomes. It promotes the adoption of cutting-edge agricultural techniques and technologies to enhance efficiency and yields, while supporting market access and export opportunities.
With Sarusara, HNB offers tailored financial products and services specifically designed to meet the needs of agripreneurs, thereby facilitating easier access to funding for agricultural ventures. Additionally, training and skill development are integral components of the program, equipping agripreneurs with the knowledge required to thrive in a competitive market.
Together with an exemplary record on transparency, accountability, and governance, HNB continues to set new benchmarks in banking and corporate excellence.
Over the past year, HNB strengthened its governance structures by consolidating risk management practices and enhancing its product and service portfolio to integrate sustainability. This included optimizing the Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS), which assesses and manages the environmental and social impacts of HNB’s lending activities to ensure sustainable operations aligned with global best practices and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG).
HNB's ESMS is designed to assess and manage the environmental and social impacts associated with the bank's lending activities, ensuring that the bank operates sustainably, by providing a formal framework for evaluating the environmental and social implications of projects financed by HNB. This includes impacts on customers and suppliers, which is crucial for maintaining sustainable business operations across the bank's value chain.
The system includes procedures for identifying, assessing, and managing environmental and social risks linked to financial transactions, defining roles, responsibilities, and necessary training for staff involved in these processes.
Further, the HNB Sustainability Foundation has partnered with the Appe Lanka Foundation to support a home gardening initiative in the Poonakary area of Kilinochchi. HNB also has an ongoing project where it provides direct financial assistance to cancer patients at the Apeksha Hospital Maharagama.
