Leading microfinance provider HNB Finance continued its mission to establish itself as an institution committed to leaving a lasting social impact when it yesterday extended its sponsorship of the Thurstan College First XI rugby team for a second consecutive year.
The sponsorship demonstrates HNB Finance’s desire to empower the country’s youth by offering support to a sport which draws keen participation from multiple schools across the island.
The agreement for the sponsorship, valued at Rs. 1 million, was inked by HNB Finance Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Chaminda Prabath and Thurstan College Rugby Committee President Sandun Saman Kumara.
“We have always endeavoured to be an institution which operates with a human touch and this partnership fits with that goal. Heading into the second year of our collaboration with Thurstan College’s rugby team, we are very excited by the team’s growth. We are confident that our continuous support will help the team achieve further success in the upcoming rugby season and heighten the interest of Thurstan’s emerging junior rugby players,” Sandun Kumara said.
Thurstan College Rugby Committee President expressed his gratitude over HNB Finance’s continuing support of the team, saying: “Last year saw the team make great strides in their play and produce an exciting brand of rugby. One of their most notable performances came in the finals of the Milo Premier Trophy, where they comprehensively beat Sri Sumangala College to capture the title. These achievements would not have been possible without the belief and support of our loyal sponsor, HNB Finance. They came forward to support us at a time when not many companies were eager to help, and their confidence has inspired us to do our best out on the field.”
Thurstan College boasts more than half a century of rich rugby heritage. It was the second government school to officially adopt the sport and went on to produce numerous legends of the game at both the national and international level. A number of the sport’s former leading lights in Sri Lanka also passed through Thurstan, including national Captain and Coach Jeff Rutnam, Secretary Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU)/Asian Rugby Board and CR&FC President Dushyantha Samarasekera, National Selector and Dimbula A.C President Sunil Jayakody, National Selector and CR&FC President Chula Dharmadasa and SLRFU President Harsha Mayadunne.
HNB Finance Ltd. was established in 2000 and is licensed as a registered finance company by the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Maintaining an island-wide presence through 48 branches and 21 service centres with the power of Hatton National Bank’s 650 ATM machines, HNB Finance has over the recent past expanded into new fields of business. It now offers Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) loans in addition to savings, gold loans, fixed deposits facilities and leasing products.