Union Assurance, Sri Lanka’s premier Life Insurer, continues to enrich community well-being through its CSR programme, Suwamaga. Aligned with its brand purpose of protecting lives and enriching the well-being of all, the Company launched Suwamaga—a nationwide programme aimed at addressing the growing prevalence of diabetes in Sri Lanka. This comprehensive programme is designed holistically to guide individuals toward better health outcomes, with a special focus on raising awareness about diabetes, promoting healthier lifestyles, supporting early detection and risk management and fostering community engagement. Since its launch just over 90 days ago, the programme has positively impacted over 10,000 individuals, driving significant progress at a national level.
A key highlight of the Suwamaga programme is Union Assurance’s free diabetes testing services, available to the public of all ages, regardless of whether they are Union Assurance customers or not. These screenings are offered at various events and locations with each participant receiving a diabetes screening report along with medical advice, empowering them with valuable insights to take control of their well-being. Many participants discovered they had diabetes for the first time, enabling them to take early action. In critical cases, individuals who were previously unaware of their condition were swiftly referred to hospitals for further care.
Commenting on the programme, the Chief Marketing Officer, Mahen Gunarathna, stated, “At Union Assurance, our purpose extends beyond providing Life Insurance; we are committed to enriching the well-being of all Sri Lankans and Suwamaga is a testament to this commitment. Diabetes is a growing public health issue in Sri Lanka, with research from the International Diabetes Federation indicating a high prevalence rate of 9.8% among adults in 2021, placing the nation at a heightened risk within the South Asian region. This rising incidence of diabetes is particularly concerning, with a growing number of younger individuals affected by sedentary lifestyles, poor nutrition and increasing stress. The long-term consequences of unmanaged diabetes are severe and include complications such as cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, blindness and amputations. These are challenges that we cannot afford to ignore”.
“Through this initiative, we are contributing to the collective progress of our nation by taking concrete actions to empower individuals with the resources they need to make informed decisions about their health. Our goal is not only to combat diabetes but also to prevent its devastating impact on families and communities. Additionally, by removing financial barriers to essential health screenings—often a significant deterrent to accessing healthcare—Union Assurance is taking a proactive and inclusive approach to improving public health across Sri Lanka,” he further stated.
Union Assurance is a subsidiary of John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), the largest conglomerate listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange, operating with over 80 companies in 7 diverse industry sectors. The Company has completed over three decades of success with a Market Capitalisation of Rs. 27.8 Bn and a Life Fund of Rs. 74.7 Bn as of end September 2024. Set to protect lives and enrich the well-being of all Sri Lankans, Union Assurance offers Life Insurance solutions that cover the health, investment, protection, retirement and education needs of Sri Lankans. With an island-wide branch network and a workforce that is over 3000-strong, Union Assurance continues to invest in people, products and processes with a customer-centric focus to be responsive to emerging changes in the Life Insurance industry.
