HNB Assurance PLC recently introduced NAVI, The Digital Trainer, a new AI-powered training companion designed to support its banca staff with instant, reliable access to knowledge, whenever they need it. The solution was unveiled at Partnership Life, the company’s annual forum dedicated to celebrating the performance of its Partnership Channel.

Built to make learning simpler and more accessible, NAVI is a voice-enabled AI chatbot that helps banca staff quickly find product information, policy details, and process-related guidance by drawing from a centralized knowledge bank. Whether on the go or at the point of customer interaction, NAVI ensures that answers are never out of reach.

Sharing his thoughts, Sanesh Fernando, Chief Business Officer / GM – Partnership Channel at HNB Assurance, opined, “With NAVI, our intention is to make learning a part of everyday conversations. By combining chat and voice capabilities, we are making it easier for our officers to learn on demand and perform with greater confidence.” He further noted that it is this continuous focus on meaningful innovation that has consistently set HNB Assurance apart within the bancassurance space. “Solutions like NAVI reflect the way we think and operate as a Partnership Channel. This commitment to enabling our partners and bancassurance officers through practical, forward-thinking initiatives has been a key driver in our journey, one that has seen us being recognized as the Best Life Bancassurance Provider for five consecutive years, while also delivering strong and sustained growth year after year.”

Commenting on the launch, Suneth Jayamanne, Chief Information Officer / GM of HNB Assurance, said, “We see NAVI as a support system rather than a piece of technology. Our Bancassurance officers operate in fast-paced environments and having instant access to the right information can make all the difference. NAVI is about helping our people feel more prepared, more confident, and more connected to the knowledge they need to serve customers better.”

The launch of NAVI was marked by an engaging reveal featuring an AI-generated avatar that introduced the digital trainer and its capabilities, symbolizing a shift towards a more intuitive and people-friendly approach to learning.

As HNB Assurance continues to expand its Partnership Channel, innovations such as NAVI highlights the company’s focus on building strong, well-supported partnerships, blending technology with a deep understanding of how people learn, and work.

HNB Assurance PLC was recognized as the Best Health Insurance Coverage Provider of the Year – Sri Lanka, at the prestigious awards ceremony organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), marking a significant milestone in the Company’s journey of delivering comprehensive, customer-centric protection solutions.

This accolade adds to a growing list of recognitions from the ICC, which has previously acknowledged HNB Assurance as the Best Life Insurance Company, highlighting the Company’s consistent presence among the most respected players in the insurance industry. The latest recognition reflects HNB Assurance’s focus on innovation, strong product architecture, and its ability to anticipate and respond to evolving healthcare needs.

Commenting on the achievement, Lasitha Wimalaratne, Executive Director / Chief Executive Officer of HNB Assurance, stated, “Being recognized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce as the Best Health Insurance Coverage Provider of the Year is a strong validation of the trust our customers place in us and the strength of the solutions we offer. Our health portfolio has been built with a clear focus on meaningful coverage and long-term value, ensuring that our customers are protected when it matters most. This award, alongside previous ICC recognitions, reinforces our position as one of the most reliable and forward-thinking insurance providers in the country.”

He further noted that consistently featuring among the best is not incidental, but the result of a deliberate strategy focused on product excellence and service quality while possessing a deep understanding of customer expectations.

“We are deeply honored by this recognition and extend our sincere thanks to the Indian Chamber of Commerce for acknowledging our efforts. This award belongs to every team at HNB Assurance whose passion and focus on excellence continue to elevate the standards of what we offer. I am immensely proud of our teams and the collective effort that goes into building solutions our customers can truly rely on.”

HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) made history by bringing home Gold at the prestigious Mob-Ex Awards 2025, securing the top spot in the highly competitive Best Campaign – Lifestyle & Entertainment category.
Standing tall as the only Sri Lankan company to win Gold at this year’s awards, HNBA’s achievement marks a defining moment for the brand, a victory earned on an international stage dominated by some of the world’s most powerful and renowned names in marketing and digital innovation.

The winning campaign, “Virtual Avurudu Village,” creatively reimagined Sri Lanka’s Avurudu traditions for the digital age, celebrating culture and community in an immersive and joyful way. The campaign became a standout example of how cultural storytelling can connect a niche or specific group of people, in this instance, gamers, meaningfully, even in a digital space.

Commenting on the win, Lasitha Wimalarathne, Executive Director / CEO of HNB Assurance PLC, stated, “This Gold Award we secured at the Mob-Ex Awards is a proud moment for all of us at HNB Assurance. Competing against global brands and emerging on top is a true testament to the creativity, passion and teamwork that drive our people. This recognition inspires us to keep exploring new ways to connect with our audiences. I would like to convey my best wishes to all the teams that were involved in making this campaign a success.”

Adding to that, Dinesh Yogaratnam, Chief Marketing & Customer Experience Officer of HNB Assurance PLC, stated, “this recognition is especially meaningful because it celebrates how we were able to blend technology with tradition, bringing the spirit of Avurudu into a vibrant virtual experience that people could truly connect with. It was all about reimagining and using our brand to seamlessly blend into a beloved cultural celebration in a new way. A special thanks goes out to our creative partner, Kites Global, for their brilliant collaboration and for helping turn this idea into something extraordinary.”

The Mob-Ex Awards, organized by Marketing-Interactive, celebrate excellence in mobile marketing across the Asia-Pacific region. Each year, the awards recognize creativity, innovation, and effectiveness in driving digital engagement and brand connection.