Supporting the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s (CBSL) drive to encourage inward remittances through formal channels, HNB PLC, launched the HNB ‘Adhishtana’ package, offering a host of value additions for migrant workers and their families.
Leveraging on the bank’s extensive understanding of financial and social requirements of migrant workers and their families, the bank designed the program to support sustainable livelihood development and wellbeing for migrant Sri Lankans and their families.
The savings account linked to the HNB ‘Adhishtana’ package enables Sri Lankans employed across the globe to gain direct access to a secure, convenient and cost-effective method of sending funds to their loved ones back home.
The launch of HNB ‘Adhishtana’ package was held at HNB Towers with the patronage of CBSL Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal. HNB Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Jonathan Alles, CBSL Assistant Governor D. Kumaratunga, , Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Prof. Kapila Perera, Deputy Commissioner of the State Ministry Women and Child Development, Pre-school and Primary Education, School Infrastructure and Education Services Sudeera Withana, HNB Assurance, Life, Chief Executive Officer Lasitha Wimalaratne, President of ALFEA F. Marikkar, Mobitel, Chief Marketing Officer, Shashika Senarath, IIHS, CEO and Founder Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe and HNB DGM Retail and SME Banking, Sanjay Wijemanne were also present.
A debit card will be issued for HNB ‘Adhishtana’ account holders for identification purposes and the bank will offer many value additions to customers who continuously send remittances to Sri Lanka through HNB. Customers can route a compulsory savings component to their HNB ‘Adhishtana’ account to be eligible for an exclusive housing and micro finance facility.
“We hope that the example we are setting today with the launch of the ‘Adhistana’ program and the numerous benefits tied to it, will serve to inspire our peers in the private and public sectors to develop similar initiatives to reward remitters for their invaluable contributions. Our hope is that these bundled rewards will help encourage more migrant Sri Lankans to utilize the significantly safer, more reliable formal channels at a time when they are most needed,” HNB Managing Director and CEO, Jonathan Alles said.
The bank has partnered with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) to offer migrant workers assistance in financial planning free prior to migration.