Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB) has been awarded the Silver Award for Overall Excellence at the recently concluded National Business Excellence Awards (NBEA) 2026, reinforcing its position as one of Sri Lanka’s trusted and consistently high-performing business institutions.
Adding to the achievement, CDB was named the Winner in the Non-Banking Financial Services Sector for the ninth consecutive year and secured First Runner-Up in the Extra-Large Sector category. Together, the accolades highlight CDB’s continued focus on business excellence, innovation, sustainability and strong corporate governance.
Commenting on the recognition, CDB Deputy CEO Damith Thennakoon said, “We feel immensely elated with this achievement. It is an absolutely momentous milestone in CDB’s journey because for nine consecutive years we led our sector and now this recognition affirms our strength across every dimension of business excellence, from leadership and governance, performance to sustainability.”
He added that the awards reflected the resilience and commitment of the CDB team, the confidence of its stakeholders and the company’s determination to advance digital transformation and contribute towards a greener economy in Sri Lanka.
The NBEA evaluates organisations through an independent panel of judges across seven key criteria: Leadership, Corporate Governance and Strategy, Capacity Building, Performance Management, Local and Global Market Reach, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), and Business and Financial Results.
CDB’s continued recognition across these areas reflects its consistent performance and commitment to maintaining high standards of excellence. The latest awards further demonstrate the company’s ability to sustain strong performance while navigating an evolving and increasingly challenging business environment.
Tanasha Raddella Makes History with Strong Backing from Sri Lankan Brands
Sri Lanka’s rising motorsport talent, Tanasha Raddella, has broken new ground for female drivers by becoming the first woman in history to win a round of the IAME Sri Lanka Series. She achieved the landmark victory in the third round of the championship held in Bandaragama, marking another significant milestone in her rapidly developing career.
Tanasha’s breakthrough performance also highlights the importance of strong corporate backing, with Mobil, Yokohama, Cinnamon Grand Colombo, Auto Miraj and Pitpass supporting her journey on both the national and international motorsport stages.
The sponsors’ continued investment reflects their commitment to youth development, equal opportunity and the potential of Sri Lankan athletes to compete at international level. Their support demonstrates how meaningful partnerships between businesses and young sporting talent can help athletes pursue their ambitions while inspiring the next generation.
Tanasha has already made her mark as one of Sri Lanka’s youngest female international kart racers, having begun competing internationally at just nine years of age. She has since competed in the IAME Sri Lanka Championship and currently participates in both the Malaysian Karting Championship and the IAME Malaysia Championship.
From August, Tanasha is also set to compete in the IAME Asia Championship, where she will take on some of the region’s most talented young drivers. Her growing international presence reflects not only her sporting ability but also her determination, resilience and willingness to challenge conventions in a traditionally male-dominated sport.
Her historic Bandaragama victory further demonstrates her ability to compete at the highest level while sending a powerful message that talent and determination are not defined by gender.
As Tanasha continues to progress through the ranks of international karting, her achievements are helping challenge perceptions around women’s participation in motorsport and encouraging more young girls to pursue their sporting ambitions with confidence.
CDB Secures Silver for Overall Excellence at NBEA 2026
