HNB launches first Trade Hub in Pettah

Friday, 1 August 2025 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

HNB Managing Director/CEO Damith Pallewatte (centre) receives Letter of credit (LC) application from D. Samson & Sons Managing Director Thusitha Rajapaksa at the official launch of HNB Trade Hub in Pettah, joined by (from left): Senior Manager Pettah Rajive Gamage, VP /RBH Sohan Fernando, VP/Head of Emerging Corporate Suranga Pieris, EVP/Head of SME and MF Rajive Dissanayake, EVP/Head of Network Business Supun Dias, Chief Operating Officer Sanjay Wijemanne, SVP/Head of Corporate Banking Manojith Weerasuriya, VP – Head of Trade Rozanne De Almeida, and Relationship Manager – Trade Hub Pettah Mihiri Rajapakse also in the picture

Offering extended hours and dedicated trade services to support importers and exporters

HNB PLC, has announced the launch of its first dedicated Trade Hub in Pettah, further strengthening its commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s importers and exporters with faster, more efficient, and more accessible trade finance services.

The opening of the Trade Hub, was graced by Chief Guest, HNB Managing Director/CEO Damith Pallewatte. Also, in attendance, alongside Chief Operating Officer, Sanjay Wijemanne were the Bank’s senior management, and customers of the metro region.

Located in one of the country’s busiest commercial districts, the HNB Trade Hub – Pettah is a standalone facility tailored exclusively to serve the end-to-end trade financing needs of businesses, offering extended banking hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., beyond standard branch operations. The new facility enables trade customers to submit and process documentation such as Letters of Credit (LC) applications, access advisory services, and complete a wide range of trade-related transactions in a dedicated, high-efficiency setting.

The Trade Hub model reflects HNB’s broader strategy to empower businesses with specialised financial infrastructure, improved turnaround times, and enhanced relationship-based services. The launch in Pettah marks the first of several such HNB Trade Hubs planned across the country,

HNB Chief Operating Officer, Sanjay Wijemanne, noted that the expansion reflects the bank’s focus on elevating operational efficiency and customer convenience. “Trade finance is critical to national growth and to the thousands of businesses driving Sri Lanka’s economic engine. With the launch of our first dedicated Trade Hub, we are creating a more agile, customer-centric environment to better meet those needs. Faster processing, expert guidance, and the right infrastructure, these are what our trade clients require, and this is the model we’re now scaling.”

Adding perspective to the bank’s long-term trade vision, HNB Executive Vice President/ Head of Network Business, Supun Dias, stated: “The HNB Pettah Trade Hub is the first step in a wider expansion of our trade network. As we grow this model across strategic regions, we are aligning our physical presence with the most active commercial zones in the country. This initiative ensures that HNB’s trade clients enjoy greater proximity, better service quality, and dedicated support wherever they operate.”

HNB’s Trade Hubs form part of the bank’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Sri Lanka’s trade ecosystem, helping businesses of all sizes navigate global commerce with confidence, reliability, and strategic insight.

Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event including Valentine ’s Day. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Flower Bouquets, Clothing, Watches, Lingerie, Gift Sets and Jewellery. Also if you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.