Pan Asia Bank recognised at Presidential Environment Awards 2019

• Recognised by President Sirisena for winning ‘Global Climate Partnership Award’

Pan Asia Bank took centre-stage at the high-profile ‘Presidential Environment Awards 2019’, held on 29 October, at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre, on which occasion, President Maithripala Sirisena recognised the bank for winning the prestigious Global Climate Partnership Award which was won in June for the bank’s green lending efforts. 

The President handed over the coveted international award to Pan Asia Bank Director/CEO Nimal Tillekeratne amidst a gathering of corporate luminaries and government officials at the event. Winning this award is a special feat for Pan Asia Bank as it was the only local bank to be recognised at this prestigious event for its noteworthy contribution to environmental conservation.

The ‘Presidential Environment Awards 2019’ was organised by the Central Environment Authority (CEA). At this event, Sri Lanka NEXT: ‘A Blue Green Era’ program was launched by the President in 2016 to demonstrate Sri Lanka’s commitment to adopt climate smart strategies and to ensure low carbon development pathways in line with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and sustainable Development goals. 

Commenting on the accolade, Nimal Tillekeratne said: “It is indeed an honour to win the ‘Global Climate Partnership Award’ from the Global Climate Partnership Fund (GCPF), and now to be presented with the award by His Excellency the President along with recognition as a ‘blue green awardee’ at the Presidential Environment Awards. “Pan Asia Bank has amply demonstrated its sustainability-focused approach to green lending through its Social and Environmental Management Systems (SEMS) policy, appointment of Green champions and investments made in its staff by providing training on green lending. We are proud to lead the local banking industry when it comes to environmental and social stewardship. We at Pan Asia Bank take this commitment to green financing and sustainability very seriously, facilitating investments towards green initiatives as well as implementing sustainability initiatives both within and outside the bank’s operations.”

The Global Climate Partnership Fund (GCPF) is one of the world’s largest climate funds which recognises outstanding performance and impact across categories such as capacities and skills, institutional capacities and green lending offerings, as well as outstanding energy efficiency or renewable energy projects. Pan Asia Bank officials accepted the accolade at an award ceremony held in Tbilisi in June. 

Prospective clients who are interested in availing funding for renewable and energy efficiency projects, may visit any of the bank branches or call the hotline 11 4667 222.