Sampath Bank takes ‘Obe Diyunuwata Ape Maga Penweema’ seminar to Kurunegala

Above: (From left) Sri Lanka Customs Director General R.H.R.W. Kamalsiri, Sampath Bank Deputy General Manager – Corporate Banking Ayodhya Iddawela Perera, and Department of Inland Revenue Senior Commissioner D.R.S. Hapuarachchi, addressing the forum 

Below: (From left) Import and Export Control Department Development Officer (Policy and Research) Thushara Walawedura, Department of Inland Revenue Senior Commissioner D.R.S. Hapuarachchi, Deputy Director of Customs C.S. Achala Chandrasekara, Sampath Bank Deputy General Manager – Corporate Banking Ayodhya Iddawela Perera, Sri Lanka Export Development Board (North Western Provincial Office) Assistant Director Manori Kulasekera, and Sri Lanka Customs Director General R.H.R.W. Kamalsiri, speaking at the event

The latest edition of ‘Obe Diyunuwata Ape Maga Penweema’, the interactive seminars hosted by Sampath Bank for representatives of the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector, was held at the Kandyan Reach Hotel in Kurunegala recently. This is the fifth instalment of the program which brings together representatives from the local SME community and related industry stakeholders to better address collective issues encountered by SMEs in the line of imports and exports.

Speakers at the event included Department of Inland Revenue Senior Commissioner D.R.S. Hapuarachchi, Deputy Director of Customs C.S. Achala Chandrasekara, Sri Lanka Export Development Board (North Western Provincial Office) Assistant Director Manori Kulasekera, Sri Lanka Customs Director General R.H.R.W. Kamalsiri, Import and Export Control Department Development Officer (Policy and Research) Thushara Walawedura, and Sampath Bank PLC Deputy General Manager – Corporate Banking Ayodhya Iddawela Perera.

Addressing the representatives of the SME sector from Kurunegala and surrounding areas who were present at the event, Ayodhya Iddawela Perera said, “Small and medium enterprises contribute immensely to the development of this country. This is why, Sampath Bank, since inception, has supported these industrialists and provided them with the financial assistance they need to develop their businesses. These workshops, which we are now rolling out island wide, are yet another step we have taken in this direction. On behalf of the bank, I take this opportunity to show our appreciation to all these entrepreneurs from the SME sector for their efforts and dedication in aiding the development of our nation.”

The Bank’s Trade Services Unit has been conducting the ‘Obe Diyunuwata Ape Maga Penweema’ knowledge sharing sessions since late 2017 and has already conducted seminars in Colombo, Galle, Kandy and Negombo with plans to hold such forums in key business centres around the island this year. Sampath Bank leverages its relationships to connect these businesses with one another as well as other relevant stakeholders through these seminars which bring together a host of government institutions and trade bodies. While the representatives from SME sector were able to voice their concerns on some of the minor nitty-gritties related to imports and exports with the other stakeholders, they were also delighted that the responses they received addressed these areas and will support them in their future endeavours. 

Established in 1987, Sampath Bank has become a state-of-the-art financial institution that continues to be a market leader today thanks to its constant innovation and customer focused approach to business. Its unique tailor-made solutions, superior services and convenience of access have allowed Sampath Bank to further differentiate itself from the competition, making it the bank of choice for many in Sri Lanka.