AIA Sri Lanka CEO wins Geneva Association Women in Insurance Award

• Recognised for outstanding business leadership through economic crisis

AIA Sri Lanka CEO Chathuri Munaweera

The Geneva Association announced the winner of its 2024 Women in Insurance Award: AIA Sri Lanka CEO Chathuri Munaweera. 

The award selection committee – comprised of BNP Paribas Cardif CEO Pauline Leclerc-Glorieux, AIA Group Chief Executive and President Lee Yuan Siong and Prudential Financial Chairman and CEO Charles F. Lowrey – selected Chathuri for her outstanding leadership of AIA’s Sri Lanka business, particularly through the unprecedented post-COVID economic crisis in Sri Lanka.  

Chathuri’s appointment as CEO in 2022 coincided with the beginning of Sri Lanka’s worst economic, political and societal turmoil since its independence in 1948. Chathuri’s comprehensive response, including prioritising food security for employees and agents, enabled AIA Sri Lanka to emerge from the crisis financially stable and as a leading insurance provider in the country. A staunch champion of gender equity, inclusivity and sustainability, Chathuri has increased the female workforce at AIA Sri Lanka from 41 percent to 48 percent since 2022, introduced women-centric insurance products and strengthened financial inclusion through bancassurance partnerships.   Leclerc-Glorieux said, “As a business leader, Chathuri demonstrated her ability to successfully bridge strategic vision with day-to-day operations and optimise outcomes for all stakeholders. We are thrilled to recognise Chathuri’s achievements with the 2024 Women in Insurance Award. We hope that as an outstanding role model, she will inspire the next generation of insurance leaders.” 

Lowrey said, “I want to congratulate Chathuri on winning the Geneva Association’s 2024 award and for her extraordinary achievements as CEO of AIA Sri Lanka. Chathuri’s leadership embodies the insurance industry’s resilience – and unwavering commitment to customers and employees – in the face of tough challenges.”     
Chathuri said, “I am deeply grateful to the Geneva Association for this esteemed award, which I am truly honoured to receive. This recognition highlights the incredible work of team AIA Sri Lanka whom I was privileged to lead through the toughest of times. It also underscores the culture of empowerment fostered by AIA Group, which enables us to reach our full potential. I am humbly proud that winning this award is a testament to the strength of women in leadership and the impactful difference we bring to the insurance industry.”