HNB Life Delivers Robust First Half Performance with 43% Growth Following Landmark Rebranding

Stuart Chapman Chairman, HNB Life PLC & HNB General Insurance Ltd

Lasitha Wimalaratne Executive Director/CEO HNB Life PLC

HNB Life PLC announced a formidable financial performance for the six months ended 30 June 2026, successfully translating the strategic momentum of its recent corporate rebranding into tangible financial growth. The official transition to the HNB Life identity on April 6, 2026, symbolized by its distinctive wing icon, has resonated profoundly within the market, underscoring the Company’s unwavering commitment to cultivating trust-based relationships and delivering enduring, long-term value.

The Company recorded a Life Gross Written Premium of Rs. 12.34 Bn for the first half of the year, marking an outstanding growth of 43 percent against the Rs. 8.63 Bn achieved in the corresponding period of 2025. This top-line expansion was mirrored by a 44 percent surge in Net Earned Premium, which reached Rs. 11.71 Bn, reflecting high policy persistency and an accelerated rate of new business acquisition. Furthermore, total net income expanded by 34 percent to Rs. 15.96 Bn, fortified by disciplined underwriting practices and a robust interest and dividend income of Rs. 4.10 Bn.

Profit after tax for the period stood at Rs. 434 Mn without any surplus transfer from the Life Insurance Fund, which usually takes place after the actuarial valuation at the end of the year, thereby reflecting the intrinsic operational strength of the business. Crucially, the Company fulfilled its fundamental promise to policyholders by disbursing Rs. 3.99 Bn in net insurance benefits and claims, a notable increase from the Rs. 1.90 Bn recorded in the same period last year. This substantial disbursement underscores HNB Life’s steadfast commitment to honoring its obligations with profound empathy and integrity, ensuring that policyholders are supported during their most critical times of need.

The Company’s financial position remained exceptionally resilient. Total assets grew to Rs. 72.71 Bn as of 30 June 2026, advancing from Rs. 68.44 Bn at the close of 2025. Financial investments expanded to Rs. 65.84 Bn, while the Life Insurance Fund witnessed a significant accumulation, reaching Rs. 55.69 Bn. This continuous build-up of long-term policyholder funds, supported by a sturdy total equity base of Rs. 11.15 Bn, provides a formidable capital foundation to support sustainable future expansion.

Commenting on the performance, Chairman Mr. Stuart Chapman stated, “The first half of 2026 stands as a defining epoch for HNB Life, characterized by a historic corporate transition and resolute financial execution. The launch of our new identity in April was more than a change which is cosmetic in nature; it was a strategic reaffirmation of our core purpose within the Hatton National Bank Group. Delivering a 43 percent growth in Gross Written Premium. Amid this transition is a clear validation of the trust our customers place in our brand and the stability we draw from our parent network. We remain resolute in our capacity to build upon this robust foundation alongside HNB General Insurance Ltd.”

Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Lasitha Wimalaratne stated, “Our first-half performance is a testament to the strategic clarity and operational discipline we have meticulously cultivated over the past few years. The rebranding initiative has not only galvanized our distribution channels but also deepened our resonance with the communities we serve. By placing genuine empathy at the forefront of our customer experience, guided by the fundamental principle of treating our policyholders precisely how we would wish to be treated, we are fostering a trust-based ecosystem that transcends mere transactional growth. While we paid out Rs. 3.99 Bn in claims and maturities, this figure represents our core mandate in action: delivering on our promises. Supported by the expansion of our Life Insurance Fund to Rs. 55.69 Bn, the underlying fundamentals of our business are exceptionally strong, positioning us to deliver meaningful, long-term value to all our stakeholders.”

Bolstered by a revitalized brand ethos, exemplary premium growth, and an unyielding balance sheet, HNB Life PLC is uniquely positioned to perpetuate its upward trajectory, generating sustained value for policyholders and shareholders alike.

HNB Life PLC, previously known as HNB Assurance PLC, celebrates 25 years of trusted protection as one of Sri Lanka’s fastest-growing life insurance companies, with a network of 74 branches across the country. The Company is rated ‘A’ (lka) by Fitch Ratings Lanka for its financial strength. Following regulatory requirements, HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI) was established in 2015 as a fully owned subsidiary, offering motor, non-motor, and Takaful insurance solutions. HNBGI is also rated ‘A’ (lka) by Fitch Ratings Lanka. Ranked among the Top 100 brands and Top 100 companies in Sri Lanka by LMD, HNB Life has received several local and international awards for Brand Excellence, Digital Marketing, and HR practices, including the Great Place to Work® Certification, as well as multiple awards for its Annual Reports by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.