Source : amanabank.lk
Amãna Bank PLC has marked 15 years of operations with the launch of a Special Commemorative Cover and Stamp, celebrating the bank’s contribution to Sri Lanka’s financial services sector and its distinctive position within the country’s banking landscape.
The ceremonial launch took place on 12 August 2026 in collaboration with the Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts of Sri Lanka. The commemorative issue recognises Amãna Bank’s journey since it began operations in 2011 and highlights its development-focused, people-friendly approach to banking.
For Sri Lankans in the UK and across the global diaspora, the milestone represents another significant achievement from a Sri Lankan institution that has built a national presence while maintaining a clear focus on ethical banking, financial inclusion and economic development.
A commemorative stamp celebrating a national banking milestone
Postage stamps and commemorative covers preserve important moments in a country’s institutional and cultural history. By issuing a stamp to mark Amãna Bank’s 15th anniversary, the Philatelic Bureau has helped document the bank’s role in the development of Sri Lanka’s financial services landscape.
The Special Commemorative Cover and Stamp pay tribute to Amãna Bank’s progress since opening its doors in 2011. The bank describes its journey as one centred on enabling growth, enriching lives and delivering value through a customer-focused banking model.
The issue also recognises Amãna Bank as Sri Lanka’s first and only licensed commercial bank operating entirely on a non-interest-based banking model. In practical terms, this model is structured around asset-backed transactions and shared value rather than conventional interest-based lending. It is designed to connect financing with genuine economic activity, including the purchase of assets, business development and productive investment.
Senior officials and banking leaders attend the ceremony
The anniversary launch brought together representatives from the Department of Posts, Amãna Bank’s founding team, its current leadership and key stakeholders.
Those attending included Deputy Postmaster General of the Sri Lanka Department of Posts Premachandra Herath and Director of the Philatelic Bureau Lanka De Silva. The bank was represented by Founder Chairman Osman Kassim, Chairman Asgi Akbarally and Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Azmeer.
Founder Directors Tyeab Akbarally, Ruzly Hussain, Jazri Magdon Ismail and Dr A. A. M. Haroon were also present, together with Founder Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Faizal Salieh.
The event further welcomed members of the current Board of Directors, the Sharia Supervisory Council, OrphanCare Trustees, the Management Committee, senior management and branch managers. Their participation reflected the continuity between the institution’s original vision and its present-day operations.
Before the stamp launch, Amãna Bank marked the anniversary by ceremoniously hoisting the Sri Lankan National Flag at its Corporate Office. The flag-raising served as a formal expression of national identity and the bank’s connection to the communities and economy it serves.
A 15-year journey built around customers and enterprise
Since commencing operations, Amãna Bank has steadily expanded its reach across Sri Lanka. The bank now serves more than 500,000 customers through a network of over 80 customer locations, comprising branches and Self Banking Centres.
Its core focus remains Retail, SME and development-oriented banking, supported by a selective approach to Corporate banking. This focus places households, entrepreneurs and smaller businesses at the centre of its growth strategy.
The bank’s asset-backed model aims to channel financing towards the real sectors of the economy. This includes supporting businesses seeking to expand, entrepreneurs investing in new opportunities and households working towards important financial goals.
For small and medium-sized enterprises, access to appropriate financing can assist with the purchase of equipment, working capital, property, stock and other productive assets. At household level, financial support can contribute to education, home ownership and other long-term priorities.
This approach is particularly relevant to the wider Sri Lankan community, including British Sri Lankan families and Sri Lankans in the UK who continue to follow developments in the country’s business and financial sectors. The progress of institutions such as Amãna Bank provides an insight into the changing face of Sri Lankan enterprise and the country’s expanding financial services ecosystem.
Chairman highlights vision, resilience and trust
Speaking at the launch, Amãna Bank Chairman Asgi Akbarally described the commemorative issue as a lasting tribute to the institution’s development.
“As we celebrate the 15th anniversary of Amãna Bank, this commemorative First Day Cover and stamp stand as a lasting tribute to a remarkable journey built on vision, resilience, and trust.”
He added that the stamp represented not only the bank’s achievements but also the confidence placed in it by customers, shareholders, regulators, employees and the communities it serves.
The Chairman also reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to creating sustainable value, supporting businesses and individuals, and contributing to Sri Lanka’s economic and social progress.
The comments reflect the importance of trust in financial services, particularly for a bank whose operations are built around a distinctive model. Over 15 years, the institution has sought to combine commercial performance with a wider development purpose.
A lasting symbol of institutional history
Amãna Bank Managing Director and CEO Mohamed Azmeer said that commemorating the anniversary through a postage stamp was especially meaningful because stamps preserve moments in history for future generations.
“Stamps preserve moments in history and provide future generations with a window into the people, institutions and events that have contributed to the progress of a nation.”
The commemorative cover therefore serves two purposes. It marks an important anniversary for Amãna Bank, while also recording the contribution of a Sri Lankan financial institution to the country’s economic story.
The launch forms part of Amãna Bank’s wider 15th anniversary celebrations. The bank marked the anniversary of its operations on 1 August 2026, with the commemorative cover and stamp following as a formal recognition of its journey.
Supporting businesses, households and communities
Amãna Bank’s anniversary communications place strong emphasis on its role in supporting productive economic activity. Its non-interest-based, asset-backed approach is intended to connect financing with identifiable assets and real-world business or household needs.
The bank offers services across personal and business banking, including savings, investments, financing support, remittance services and digital banking. Readers can explore the bank’s personal banking services and business banking services for further information.
Its community contribution also extends beyond banking. Through OrphanCare, Amãna Bank supports children leaving institutional care as they work towards financial independence. The initiative has enrolled more than 3,200 children from over 90 orphanages across Sri Lanka, according to the bank’s anniversary announcement.
This combination of financial services and community engagement forms an important part of the institution’s public identity. It also demonstrates how a corporate milestone can be connected to broader questions of opportunity, inclusion and national development.
Looking ahead after the 15th anniversary
Amãna Bank’s 15th anniversary comes at a time when Sri Lanka’s financial services sector continues to evolve. Customers increasingly expect accessible digital services, responsible finance and products that reflect their personal, business and community needs.
The bank has stated that its future priorities will remain centred on sustainable value creation, support for businesses and individuals, and continued contribution to the nation’s economic aspirations.
For the Sri Lankan diaspora, including readers following business developments from the UK, Canada, New Zealand and elsewhere, the anniversary offers a positive example of Sri Lankan enterprise reaching an important institutional milestone.
The Special Commemorative Cover and Stamp now stand as a permanent reminder of Amãna Bank’s journey from its launch in 2011 to its position as a nationwide financial institution serving more than half a million customers.
Readers interested in Sri Lankan business achievements and community developments can follow more updates through eLanka’s articles section, events coverage and the wider eLanka platform.
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