In a commanding display of skill, teamwork, and sheer determination, the Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB) Basketball Team clinched the Championship title at the 33rd Mercantile Services Basketball Tournament 2025 (B Division), defeating HNB in a thrilling finale. This thriller finish also signalled the completion of an extraordinary unbeaten run.

Entering the tournament with confidence and purpose, CDB navigated a challenging field that included Allianz Insurance, HNB, Motorize, and John Keells, recording six straight victories en-route to the finals. This triumph marks a long-awaited milestone for the team—having reached the finals last year and finishing as Runners-Up. CDB returned stronger, more disciplined and more united to claim the trophy equipped with motivation and team spirit.

Captained by Suraj Balasuriya and guided by Coach Anton Niroshan, the team delivered consistent high-level performances throughout the tournament. The final clash against HNB showcased CDB’s resilience and tactical maturity, ultimately sealing the team’s status as 2025 Champions.

Osanda Umayanaga, whose stellar performance earned him the Most Valuable Player title, was instrumental in CDB’s success. Dilshan Fernando also delivered key contributions on both ends of the court. They were strongly supported by the rest of the squad—Kevin Vivekshan, Milan Chathuraga, Malshan Rumaiz, Seneith Chandresena, Thiwanka Sandaru, and Kasun Thamel—whose combined effort and unity formed the backbone of CDB’s unbeaten campaign.

Beyond the court, this victory reflects CDB’s wider commitment to fostering sportsmanship, teamwork and employee engagement as part of its people-first culture. The team’s triumph stands as a testament to the Company’s belief in excellence beyond business, empowering its talent to excel in every arena.

With their heads held high and the long-awaited trophy finally in hand, the CDB Basketball Team has not only brought pride and glory to the organisation but also set a new benchmark for dedication, discipline and collective success.

Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB) sprinted to the finish line with a powerhouse performance at the 40th Mercantile Athletic Meet, reaffirming its place among the nation’s top corporate sporting contenders with a series of exceptional achievements. Team CDB’s outstanding display featured new meet records, top individual titles and commanding overall rankings, showcasing both athletic prowess and CDB’s commitment to nurturing a winning culture.

This year, CDB athletes produced a wave of remarkable record-breaking moments. Bhakthi Wijesinghe set a new meet record in the Over-30 Women’s Triple Jump with a distance of 8.85m, while Gayan Thanthirige shattered the Over-30 200m record with an impressive 23.68 seconds.

In the Championship Category, A.P. Krishandan soared to a new Long Jump record with 7.18m, and Umaya Rathnayake delivered a blazing 57.87 seconds in the 400m hurdles to add another Championship record to CDB’s tally.

Meanwhile, in the Novices Category, Thiviyan Puvika secured the 110m Hurdles record with a time of 17.30 seconds, rounding off an extraordinary set of performances.

Beyond the new records, CDB celebrated several standout individual victories. Bhakthi Wijesinghe won Best Athlete in the Over-30 Women’s category, while A.P. Krishandan emerged as a double-title winner, clinching both the Best Athlete – Championship Men and the prestigious Overall Best Athlete – Men titles. His dominance on the field established him as one of the star performers of the meet. This title of Overall Best Athlete – Men was won for the third consecutive year by Team CDB.

CDB’s collective efforts translated into strong overall results, finishing 5th among more than 51 competing companies with a remarkable 165 points. The team also captured both the Women’s and Men’s Overall Championships in the Champion Category, underscoring the depth, consistency, and competitive spirit across the squad.

The organisation’s success at the 40th Mercantile Athletic Meet reflects more than athletic achievement; it represents CDB’s commitment to developing well-rounded professionals, fostering sportsmanship and empowering its people to excel beyond their roles. By championing resilience, teamwork and performance excellence, CDB continues to cultivate a winning culture that thrives both on and off the field.

Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB) set itself a goal in 2004 – to empower students across the country by developing digital literacy and giving equal access to technology. The ambitious initiative of establishing a Smart Computer Lab began with the single step of presenting one computer to Gonagala North Junior School in Ruwanwella. This simple gesture by CDB built the foundation for a milestone achievement in the company’s 30 year history. With the presentation of three fully-equipped computer labs in Andankulam RCTMV in Mannar, Kumulumunai GTMS in Kilinochchi and Olumadu Tamil Vidyalayam in Vavuniya, CDB successfully completed the establishment 25 Smart Computer Labs covering the country’s 25 districts, benefiting over 10,000 students, a definitive step in improving digital literacy across Sri Lanka.

“The completion of this project marks a significant milestone in our sustainability journey,” remarks Deputy CEO Damith Tennakoon, “given that it also aligns strongly with national education priorities and the UNSDGs for quality education, reduced inequality and digital inclusion.”

With CDB being deeply committed to bridging the digital divide in economically disadvantaged schools in all districts, especially those in rural areas, Tennakoon says, “By enabling these students to access modern technology and advance their academic competencies via ICT-based education, we have opened new doors to their future. The fact that we have empowered students across the country with remote access to digital literacy through these labs is truly heartening and very rewarding for us, as a leading corporate steward in Sri Lanka.”

Each Smart Computer Lab has been equipped with new computers, a Smart Board, internet access, furniture and relevant learning tools which facilitate smart learning environments for students. As Tennakoon mentions, “We have seen a tangible improvement in multiple areas in the education eco-system which is very gratifying and points to a solid result of this large cohort of students benefiting from these Smart Computer Labs across 25 districts. The collaborations and support from the zonal education officers, local vendors and school communities showcase the large stakeholder ownership that embraces this project

Setting the benchmark in sales excellence for Sri Lanka, Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB) achieved an impressive total of six awards at the National Sales Awards 2025 organised by the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM). The award haul was an impressive two Golds, two Silver and one Merit Award in the Financial Service Provider category, and a Bronze in the Overall category.

Celebrating this remarkable success, Team CDB proudly holds the mantle of having won at the National Sales Awards for the past several years, a testament to its extraordinary sales prowess and consistent performance.

The Gold Awards were secured by Pinipa Samadhi in the Frontliner Category and Bandula Kumara in the Territory Manager Category, while the Silver Awards in the Sale Supervisor Category was presented to Sales Supervisor Udara Gunawardana. Owadini Somasiri won Silver in the Sales Executive Category. The Merit Award was conferred on Sales Executive Gayan Ganepolaarachchi. The Overall Bronze Award in the Sales Manager Category was won by Pubudu Mallikarachchi — a win that truly cements CDB’s reputation as a company that nurtures and empowers a collective of sales professionals recognized nationally as among the best in the country.

The awards recognise and reward high-performing sales professionals across twenty industry sectors, celebrating excellence in salesmanship. For CDB, these awards stand as a testament to CDB’s commitment to high performance standards, professionalism, and adherence to strong marketing and sales ethics and codes of conduct, while also serving as a powerful motivation for other team members to aim higher and achieve more.