Ceylinco Insurance receives Gold Award at World Quality Commitment Awards

In an affirmation of the outstanding quality offered to its customers, Ceylinco Insurance received the prestigious World Quality Commitment Award in the Gold Category at the World Quality Commitment Convention at the International Quality Awards 2011, which was held in Paris.

The World Quality Commitment Award recognises companies around the globe that are committed to quality, innovation and leadership in their respective spheres of industry. Awards were presented to companies committed to excellence, representing 49 countries.

The gala event was attended by a distinguished gathering, along with outstanding personalities from the business world and diplomatic corps, representing North America, Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Middle East.

The criteria for selection, which follow the guidelines of the QC100 Total Quality Management model, are the companies that are categorised as quality driven organisations, practices a customer minded approach, encourages continuous improvements in systems, leaders in societal activities and with best practices in human resources.

President of Business Initiative Directions of Spain Jose E. Prieto, who presided over the event, said: “The companies who have been feted symbolise a sound commitment to leadership, technology and innovation, making them models for others in their sectors. The quality symbol of Business Initiative Directions is present in 178 countries around the world, creating a firm ground for the implementation of integral quality processes through the technology and procedures of the QC100 model of Total Quality Management.”

Business Initiative Directions has succeeded in becoming one of the first four world-wide organisations to implement a quality culture in top national, continental or global companies.

In responding to the exceptional recognition by a world body, Ceylinco Insurance Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Ajith Gunawardena commented: “Ceylinco Insurance consists of a team with a clear focus on continuous improvement of processes which we, as the industry leader, view as critical for success. We always strive to exceed what we promise the customer. We are constantly improving our own standards that we’ve set, which today has entered the annals of Sri Lankan insurance history as the benchmark for the industry.”

Ceylinco Insurance, which is synonymous with many industry firsts, is widely regarded as the trendsetter in the insurance industry in Sri Lanka. The introduction of ‘On The Spot’ claim settlements by Ceylinco Insurance was one of the most important milestones in the insurance industry in Sri Lanka. A world first, the ‘On The Spot’ claim settlement process ensured that the customer had an unparalleled advantage – the service went on to set a new standard in the insurance industry, with the competition trying to vainly emulate the Ceylinco Insurance model.

In facilitating ‘On The Spot’ claim settlements, Ceylinco Insurance operates one of the largest networks in the country, with huge logistical involvement.

Ceylinco Insurance – General Snr. Asst. General Manager – Marketing Senaka Rajapakse, who received the award on behalf of the company, said: “This is great encouragement for all of us at Ceylinco Insurance. It will further inspire our team to enhance our service levels and be consistent in our service.”

Some of the previous recipients of this award are Tata Elxsi of Tata Group India, the Dubai Police Headquarters of the United Arab Emirates, the Indian Oil Corporation, Korea Electric Power Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, Turner Construction – builders of the Burj Khalifa Tower, the tallest building in the world, etc.

This award comes as one of the many prestigious international awards Ceylinco Insurance has won – it has been the first and only insurance company to win international awards for innovation with the ‘Innovation of the Year’ awards won twice over at the Asia Insurance Industry Awards.

In addition, the company was also the first and only insurance company to win the ‘People’s Insurance Company Award’ for five consecutive years and the ‘National Business Excellence Award’ for two years.