Friday Nov 28, 2025
Friday Nov 28, 2025
Friday, 28 November 2025 05:07 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
HNB Managing Director/CEO Damith Pallewatte (right) accepting the Overall Winner: Best Corporate Citizen Award from The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chairman Krishan Balendra. HNB Vice President – Services Roshan Fernando, Vice President – Microfinance Mahinda Senevirathne, EVP/Chief Growth Officer Bimal Perera, Chief Operating Officer Sanjay Wijemanne, SVP/Chief Strategy Officer Priyanka Wijayaratne, SVP/Board Secretary Shiromi Halloluwa; Manager – Sustainable Business Hemantha Seneviratne, and Assistant Manager – Sustainable Business Shanel Perera also also present
HNB PLC last week took centre stage at the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards (BCCSA), organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), after being crowned as the nation’s Best Corporate Citizen for 2025. Reinforcing its reputation as partner in progress to the nation, and a standard bearer of corporate excellence, HNB secured a total of seven major honours at this year’s awards, underscoring the bank’s long-term commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) excellence and its role in driving inclusive, responsible growth.
“As an institutional player that is fundamentally linked to the history and development of this nation, HNB has always sought to build long-term value with discipline and consistency,” HNB Managing Director/CEO Damith Pallewatte said. “Being recognised as Sri Lanka’s Best Corporate Citizen – alongside multiple awards for economic contribution, sector performance and project sustainability – is a testament to the dedication of our teams as they manage risk, support communities and enable responsible growth. Sustainability is embedded in our DNA, and into how we operate, serve customers and plan for the future. We will continue to strengthen this foundation with clear priorities, measurable outcomes and a commitment to accountability.”
In addition to being honoured with the overall BCCS Award 2025, HNB was also placed among Sri Lanka’s Top 10 Corporate Citizens of 2025, based on the bank’s long-term sustainability strategy and structured Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) governance model.
The bank’s recognition under the Triple Bottom Line Awards – Economic Sustainability (Profit) and the dual honours for Economic Contribution – under both the Category Award for Best Performance and the Category Awards for Consistent Commitment and Continuous Improvement – Economic Contribution – further highlighted HNB’s consistent role in enabling enterprise growth, strengthening the financial system and supporting national development priorities.
Further cementing its leadership within the industry, HNB was also named Winner – Sector Award for Best Performance – Finance Sector, reflecting its sector-leading performance, governance standards and alignment with Sri Lanka’s broader sustainability objectives.
Meanwhile HNB’s pioneering ‘SOLO Podi Podi Business – women empowerment through digital literacy’ initiative was adjudged Winner – Best Project Sustainability Awards in recognition of its impact in supporting women micro-entrepreneurs through digital adoption, financial literacy, building improved resilience at the grassroots of the Sri Lankan economy.
Collectively, these accolades underscore HNB’s structured approach to sustainability, spanning environmental responsibility, social progress, financial inclusion, operational excellence and transparent governance. Through long-running community programmes, responsible lending frameworks and sustained investment in digital inclusion, the bank continues to set benchmarks as one of Sri Lanka’s foremost corporate citizens.
