Sanjay Wijemanne, DGM – Retail Banking Group; Jonathan Alles, MD/CEO, HNB, Aruni Goonetilleke, Chairperson, HNB; Thushari Ranaweera, DGM – Legal; Damith Pallewatte, DGM – Wholesale Banking Group; Chiranthi Cooray, Chief Human Resource Officer along with the clergy at the ceremony.
HNB ushered in 2023 on a spiritual note by observing multi-faith prayers and blessings for customers, employees, and stakeholders. The ceremony took place at the Bank’s Head Office under the auspices of Aruni Goonetilleke, Chairperson, HNB; Jonathan Alles, Managing Director/CEO, HNB, and Dilshan Rodrigo, Executive Director/COO, HNB, who were joined by the Bank’s leadership, Corporate and Executive management and staff.
Jonathan Alles, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, HNB, at the outset, wished everyone a fantastic 2023, reminding all that hope and resilience at the forefront will ensure that dreams can be realized.
“It will be a year of great plans for yourselves, for your branches, departments, and regions which will be undoubtedly successful. I look forward to working with you once again in a collaborative manner.
“We’ve overcome together a tumultuous 2022, a year that saw many changes in our lives, personally and professionally. 2023 may continue to be challenging, but not one that we cannot overcome with fortitude and resolve. Since 2019, we have lived through some of the most challenging times our country has ever faced. COVID finally receded, but we faced an economic crisis which has made inflation the biggest story of our times. Globally too many countries have had their share of problems – Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February also did not help, triggering a series of events leading to an increase in oil prices and global inflation – further adding to our problems.”
Against this backdrop, our Bank navigated its 135th year of existence. We are proud of our efforts, which have paid off. First, we supported our employees and their families through all the crises. We did not let go of a single individual through this period and did our part to contribute to the relief funds.
“We also positioned ourselves to the right side of change – bullish in our digital and technological transformation; we enhanced our customer service immensely.
Sanjay Wijemanne, DGM – Retail Banking Group; Jonathan Alles, MD/CEO, HNB, Aruni Goonetilleke, Chairperson, HNB; Thushari Ranaweera, DGM – Legal; Damith Pallewatte, DGM – Wholesale Banking Group; Chiranthi Cooray, Chief Human Resource Officer along with the clergy at the ceremony
