HNB’s Gami Pubuduwa strengthens microfinance entrepreneurs

HNB Chairperson Nihal Jayawardene with Managing Director/CEO Damith Pallewatte and Chief Operating Officer Sanjay Wijemanne together with the special invitees open Gami Pubuduwa Avurudu Pola at the BMICH 

HNB successfully concluded Gami Pubuduwa Avurudu Pola 2025, held recently at the BMICH for the sixth time, drawing a large number of visitors and generating strong sales for over 150 microfinance entrepreneurs from across the island.

Organised under the bank’s flagship Gami Pubuduwa initiative, the two-day trade fair once again served as a dynamic platform for rural entrepreneurs to showcase their products, engage with urban consumers and build valuable business linkages.

The event was held under the patronage of HNB Chairperson Nihal Jayawardene. Managing Director/CEO Damith Pallewatte and HNB Senior Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer Sanjay Wijemanne also attended. Representatives from key government institutions and long-standing development partners, including JICA Sri Lanka Chief Representative Kuronuma Kenji and JICA Senior Representative Yuri Ide, were present and JETRO Colombo Resident Representative Hiroki Oi addressed the gathering.

“Initiatives like the Gami Pubuduwa Avurudu Pola go beyond commerce — they represent the partnerships we build with entrepreneurs across Sri Lanka. Through consistent support, we aim to create real economic opportunities that empower communities and help shape a more resilient, inclusive economy,” said Pallewatte.

The fair featured a wide range of goods — from traditional foods, spices and handloom items to plants, crafts and wellness products — all created by entrepreneurs nurtured through HNB’s microfinance programme. Many vendors reported strong sales and new customer leads, while several secured long-term business partnerships with corporate buyers and retailers.

“The overwhelming response to this year’s Avurudu Pola reaffirms the importance of providing visibility and access to Sri Lanka’s rural entrepreneurs,” said HNB Vice President/Head of Microfinance Mahinda Seneviratne.

“We are proud to have created a space where our microfinance customers not only sold their products but also formed connections that will help them scale and sustain their businesses.”