Union Assurance, Sri Lanka’s longest-standing private Life Insurer, proudly organised the ‘Blog It Symposium 2025’, marking a significant milestone as the first-ever event of its kind in the Life Insurance sector. The event, open to the public, welcomed renowned figures from the literary world, including its keynote speaker, Ashok Ferrey, as well as prominent personalities such as Lal Medawattegedara, Chiranthi Rajapakse, Dharma Sri Kariyawasam, Savithri Rodrigo and Professor Kopalapillai Amirthalingam. The symposium featured an engaging lineup of events including a dynamic panel discussion and specialised workshops aimed at sharing knowledge and inspiring the next generation of writers. Additionally, the event concluded with an awards ceremony, highlighting the achievements of the winners of the Union Assurance Blog It 3.0 competition.
The ‘Blog It Symposium 2025’ was part of the larger Blog It initiative, an extension of Union Assurance’s ongoing commitment towards educating the public and empowering individuals to navigate their financial futures. Launched in 2022 as an industry-first initiative in celebration of Life Insurance Awareness Month, Blog It was designed to spark important conversations about financial literacy, particularly the critical role of Life Insurance in securing one’s financial future. The Blog It initiative has since demonstrated remarkable growth over the years with submissions steadily increasing, with over 500 entries in 2022, more than 900 in 2023 and an impressive 1,100+ entries in 2024. This surge reflects a growing public interest in financial literacy as well as the meaningful discussions the campaign has sparked.
To recognise the outstanding contributions of participants, Union Assurance has awarded winners with exciting prizes and amplified their voices by publishing shortlisted entries across social media platforms and on newspapers. This commitment to celebrating exceptional talent ensures that the Blog It initiative remains a powerful platform that drives financial awareness and literacy in Sri Lanka.
The Chief Marketing Officer at Union Assurance, Mahen Gunarathna, shared his excitement stating, “We are delighted to host the Union Assurance ‘Blog It Symposium 2025’, a significant milestone that underscores our steadfast commitment to empowering the progress of all by advancing financial literacy. With every passing year, the Blog It initiative has fostered crucial conversations around financial education, creating a platform where writers and thought leaders can collaborate, inspire and drive meaningful change in our community. As we continue this journey, we are excited to explore new and innovative ways to further enhance financial literacy across Sri Lanka, empowering individuals to build more secure and prosperous futures”.
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 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 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.
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BLOG IT Symposium 2025, organised by Union Assurance, took place at BMICH on March 27, bringing together literary enthusiasts, authors, and industry leaders.
Graced by Union Assurance CEO Senath Jayatilake, the event featured a keynote by Ashok Ferrey, a session by Jeremy Muller, breakout sessions with Prof. Kopalapillai Amirthalingam and Dharma Sri Kariyawasam, and a panel discussion with Lal Medawattegedara, Chiranthi Rajapakse, and Pramodha Weerasekera, moderated by Savithri Rodrigo.