The HNB Women Entrepreneurship Initiative has been launched to strengthen financial inclusion and accelerate economic participation among women-led businesses in Sri Lanka. With a comprehensive suite of financial and advisory services, the program aims to support women at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey. This initiative reinforces HNB’s long-standing commitment to empowering communities through sustainable, inclusive development.
HNB Women Entrepreneurship Initiative boosts access to finance and skills for MSMEs
The HNB Women Entrepreneurship Initiative, formally launched under the theme “Start small, rise tall – we’re here for it all,” marks a significant expansion of HNB PLC’s commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment in Sri Lanka. Introduced on [Insert Date] at HNB Towers, the initiative provides a holistic platform designed to help women-led MSMEs grow through improved financial access, capacity development, and long-term business support.
Developed as a dedicated Women Banking proposition, the initiative offers tailored loan schemes, savings products, digital banking solutions, POS machines, insurance support through HNB Assurance, and mentorship and training programs. The approach extends beyond financial solutions to include legal and tax advisory assistance, marketing opportunities, and recognition pathways. With a network of more than 300 HNB professionals and over 50 local and international partners, the bank ensures that women entrepreneurs receive the guidance and resources needed to move confidently from micro-enterprise to established SME operations.
The rationale for the HNB Women Entrepreneurship Initiative is rooted in national data highlighting significant gaps in women’s financial participation. According to the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, only 9% of women are actively engaged in the formal economy, despite many operating small or informal businesses. Research from the University of Kelaniya further indicates that while 80% of women possess bank accounts, only a small percentage participate in economic activity, underscoring the need for targeted financial literacy and structured support systems. HNB’s new program directly addresses these gaps by offering women practical tools, market linkages, and structured opportunities for growth.
HNB’s MD/CEO Damith Pallewatte emphasized the bank’s deep-rooted commitment to uplifting the rural economy and supporting women as key economic contributors. He noted that the HNB Women Entrepreneurship Initiative integrates financial access with knowledge, mentorship, and ecosystem-wide collaboration with institutions such as the Department of Agriculture, NEDA, NGOs, and academic partners. His remarks reinforced HNB’s mission to go beyond traditional banking by providing confidence, visibility, and opportunity for women across the country.
Among the success stories spotlighted at the launch was entrepreneur Dammika Priyangani, who transformed a small orchid hobby into a thriving business with HNB’s support. She highlighted how the bank’s guidance, digital tools, and encouragement enabled her to turn a simple passion into a sustainable enterprise, demonstrating the tangible impact of the initiative on female entrepreneurship.
The event gathered leading policymakers, banking executives, industry experts, and pioneering women entrepreneurs, reflecting the national importance of the HNB Women Entrepreneurship Initiative. The gathering included senior HNB leadership alongside representatives from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, the University of Kelaniya, the Department of Agriculture, the Ceylon Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs, and the Asian Development Bank.
To ensure long-term, measurable outcomes, HNB integrates data-driven monitoring systems into the initiative, tracking progress and refining its offerings to meet evolving needs. By doing so, the bank ensures that every intervention creates genuine value and that every woman entrepreneur supported through the program is better positioned for sustainable growth. Through this strengthened commitment, the HNB Women Entrepreneurship Initiative contributes not only to individual success stories but also to national economic development, transforming women-led enterprises into engines of inclusive prosperity.