When Passion Meets Performance: Team CDB dominates the 41st Mercantile Athletics Federation Meet
• Clinches Men’s and Women’s Overall Championship titles, Men’s Overall Novices crown
Colombo, Sri Lanka, 21 September 2026: In a dominant show of talent, teamwork and discipline, Citizens Development Business Finance PLC delivered a commanding performance at the 41st Mercantile Athletic Federation (MAF) Meet held from the 21st to 23rd August at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Diyagama. CDB clinched the Men’s and Women’s Overall Championship titles and the Men’s Overall Novices Championship, showcasing a clean sweep across categories that underscored the strength and depth of CDB’s sporting talent.
In one of the most keenly contested fixtures in Sri Lanka’s corporate sporting calendar, CDB’s athletes took full command from the first day of the meet, with the team’s novices and seniors setting the pace across a demanding field of competitors from the country’s leading mercantile organisations.
CDB’s individual stars were equally decisive. Members of the team established four meet records – Race Walk Men’s Novices: Kandhasami Sham, Women’s 30+ Triple Jump: Bhakthi Wijesinghe, Men’s Championship High Jump: Kamod de Silva and Women’s Championships 400 meters Hurdles: Umaya Rathnayake. Shakila Wijesekara was named Best Athlete – Novices Men, while Umaya Rathnayake claimed a rare double, being named both Best Athlete – Championship Women and Best Athlete – Women. Team CDB rounded off the meet in fourth place overall, capping a campaign that reflected months of disciplined training and preparation — training that CDB’s athletes balanced alongside their day-to-day roles across the organisation.
That balance is central to what the win represents for CDB. Behind every medal is an employee who spent early mornings and weekends training, while continuing to meet their professional commitments — a reflection of the culture CDB has built around encouraging its people to pursue what they are passionate about, without having to compromise on their contribution to the company’s growth and success.
“This result is a proud moment for CDB,” says Executive Director – Corporate Finance Roshan Abeygoonewardena. “Our athletes trained with real discipline and heart over the past several months, balancing that commitment with their day jobs, and to see it translate into a clean sweep of the Men’s and Women’s Championship titles is a testament to who they are as individuals and as professionals.” Going beyond the medals, he credited the wider effort that went into the win. “We must also congratulate the coaches and support team who worked just as hard behind the scenes because at CDB, we believe that the same values that drive success on the track — discipline, resilience and teamwork — are what drive success in our business every day. We’re incredibly proud of the multi-talented youth who encompass Team CDB.”
CDB’s continued investment in workplace sports reflects the same culture of discipline, excellence and team spirit that underpins the CDB brand more broadly. It is part of a deliberate effort to create an environment where employees can grow both personally and professionally — one that recognises that a well-rounded, motivated workforce is built by encouraging people to maintain a healthy balance between their corporate lives and personal interests, not in spite of it. This continued success at the MAF Meet reaffirms CDB’s identity as an employer that nurtures talent both on and off the job, and reinforces the company’s growing reputation as a serious contender on the corporate sporting stage.
About CDB
Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB) stands among the top four largest Non-Banking Financial Institutions (NBFIs) in Sri Lanka. CDB is recognized for its innovation in financial services, steadfast commitment to sustainability, and adherence to exemplary corporate governance. With a focus on digital transformation CDB continues to redefine the financial services landscape by offering cutting-edge solutions that align with sustainable development goals.
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