Union Assurance, the nation’s longest-standing private Life Insurer, proudly represented Sri Lanka at the IDF World Diabetes Congress 2025, held in Bangkok, Thailand. Organised by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the Congress brought together over 6,800 participants from more than 165 countries under the theme, “Shape the Future of Diabetes”, serving as a premier global platform for sharing the latest scientific breakthroughs, innovative care models and impactful advocacy strategies in diabetes prevention and management as a cure is still elusive.
At the Congress, Union Assurance showcased its flagship CSR initiative, Suwamaga—a pioneering programme dedicated to reducing the incidence of diabetes across Sri Lanka. Designed as a holistic, community-centred approach, Suwamaga focuses on raising awareness, promoting active lifestyles, facilitating early detection and empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools to manage their health.
A key highlight of the initiative is the Suwamaga Mobile Screening Unit, launched in November 2024, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. This fully-equipped mobile unit travels across the country—from urban centres to remote villages—offering free diabetes screenings which is an evidence-based modality of Diabrisk-sl, a research project conducted in collaboration with Kings College, London. This is conducted by certified healthcare professionals, nutritionists and other trained health workers. The service is open to all Sri Lankans, regardless of whether they are Union Assurance customers or not, ensuring equitable access to essential health services to all.
Since its launch, the Mobile Screening Unit has reached over 26,000 individuals, with more than 15,000 receiving free diabetes screenings. Each participant is provided with a detailed health report and personalised medical advice, enabling early intervention and informed health decisions. Notably, 12% of those referred for HbA1c testing were found to be unaware that they had diabetes and persons with high blood sugar levels were immediately referred to hospitals for further care—underscoring the life-saving potential of early detection.
“Presenting Suwamaga at the IDF World Diabetes Congress was a proud moment for us,” said Mahen Gunarathna, the Chief Marketing Officer of Union Assurance. “This initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to enriching community well-being and our belief in the transformative role the private sector can play in driving meaningful change. We are especially thankful to the Diabetes Association of Sri Lanka for being a strategic partner in this journey and for the opportunity to showcase our work on such a prestigious global platform”.
“It is also a moment of immense national pride that Dr. Manilka Sumanatilleke, President of the Diabetes Association of Sri Lanka, has been appointed Chair-elect of the International Diabetes Federation – Southeast Asia Region. We extend our warmest congratulations and wish him every success in his upcoming tenure. His leadership is a testament to Sri Lanka’s growing voice in the global healthcare arena”, he added.
Dhanya Wijesuriya, Vice President of the Diabetes Association of Sri Lanka, added, “It has been a true pleasure working alongside Union Assurance on the Suwamaga initiative. Diabetes remains a major public health challenge in Sri Lanka and proactive efforts from all sectors—especially the private sector—are not only commendable but essential. The impact of Suwamaga in reaching underserved communities and promoting early detection is a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration and commitment to public health”.
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. 36.5 Bn and a Life Fund of Rs. 77.5 Bn as at end December 2024. Set to proect 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 4300 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.
