Sri Lanka’s leading integrated financial services provider, HNB FINANCE PLC, commemorated International Women’s Day 2025 under the theme, ‘Championing Equality and Empowering Women and Girls’ with a special programme aimed at recognising and empowering the female women.
The celebration, held at the Auditorium at the HNB FINANCE Head Office premises in Nawala on March 7, 2025, featured a range of activities to honour and support women in the workplace, and saw widespread participation from female staff from across the ranks at HNB FINANCE. Simultaneously with the celebration at the head office, branches across the island organized their own events. Staff from every location were connected live via Microsoft Teams to participate in the head office program, ensuring a unified and inclusive celebration. This initiative also served as an opportunity to recognize their efforts and highlight the valuable contributions they can make in the workplace.
The esteemed guest panel featured Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Renuka Jayasundara, Head of the Children, Women Abuse Investigation, and Prevention Range, as the Chief Guest. Also in attendance were Dr. Dilumi Athapaththu, Dental Surgeon at the Ministry of Health, and Dr. Chathurangi Widyaratna, Dental Surgeon at the Regional Director of Health Services (RDHS). HNB FINANCE Managing Director and CEO, Chaminda Prabhath, participated alongside senior management members, while nearly 230 female representatives from HNB FINANCE branch offices across the island took part in the event.
Addressing the audience, DIG Renuka Jayasundara underscored the critical need to protect women from abuse, emphasizing the importance of empowering women to support one another, and the necessity of safeguarding children from harmful circumstances. She highlighted various initiatives aimed at preventing gender-based violence, and ensuring a safer environment for women and children in Sri Lanka.
In the second segment of the session, Dr. Chathurangi Widyaratna delivered an insightful presentation on the significance of oral hygiene, illustrating how proper dental care contributes to overall health and well-being. Her discussion provided practical guidance on maintaining good oral health, and its direct impact on an individual’s quality of life.
Commenting on the significance of the occasion, HNB FINANCE Managing Director and CEO Chaminda Prabhath stated, “Commemorating International Women’s Day is a privilege, as it provides us with the opportunity to pay tribute to the resilience, dedication, and unwavering commitment of women. From mothers, sisters, and daughters to professionals across diverse industries, women continue to break barriers and reach new heights. They play a pivotal role in shaping future generations, and through this initiative, HNB FINANCE proudly celebrates their achievements and contributions”.
“Our commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs has yielded remarkable results. Through small business loans and financial literacy programs, we have provided the financial strength needed for them to thrive. This initiative has also extended to the women working across various departments in our branch offices, fostering independence and economic resilience among them. Today, we continue this journey with unwavering dedication, ensuring a continuous flow of knowledge and support to drive progress and empower women”, he further stated.
