A legacy of service: Sampath Bank ushers in new year by felicitating longstanding employees

Sampath Bank staff who completed 25 years of service at the bank this year were felicitated

The Sampath Bank staff participating in religious observances

In keeping with tradition, a large gathering of employees both past and present gathered together at Sampath Bank’s head office in Colombo on 1 January 2020 to usher in the new year. 

The day’s proceedings commenced with a customary invocation of blessings at the neighboring Gangarama Temple, attended by corporate management and team members, followed by a message at the head office from the bank’s Managing Director Nanda Fernando, in which he unveiled the bank’s summarised strategic focus for the coming year. 

Sampath Bank Plc Managing Director Nanda Fernando engaged in religious observances

Delivering a rousing call to action through his speech, Fernando began by urging the Sampath team to foster growth by establishing key resolutions for 2020, both in their professional and personal lives. This was followed by the unfolding of ‘Triple Transformation 2020’, Sampath Bank’s clearly outlined strategic plan for the year, introduced to all Sampath Bank team members hailing from every corner of Sri Lanka. Comprising the three pillars of Business, People and Technology, Triple Transformation 2020 encompasses 24 strategic objectives pertaining to the bank’s daily activities, designed to disrupt Sri Lanka’s financial services industry and set the stage for a steep trajectory of growth in 2020 and the years to come. 

“Last year was a year of consolidation, where we focused on improving our processes and simplifying our operations. Coupling the result of these initiatives with the Triple Transformation plan, we are well-positioned to grow in 2020, and ready to exceed expectations in every sphere,” Fernando noted in his speech.  

Sampath Bank Plc Managing Director Nanda Fernando addressing the gathering

Signifying the importance of the bank’s digital journey and its transformation into a truly digital entity, he went on to acknowledge the combined efforts of the Sampath team, thanking them for their valued service and dedication which enabled the bank to record a strong performance despite the major challenges that confronted the industry in the preceding year.

His parting message was a timely reminder to the team of Sampath Bank’s legacy and true purpose - to serve and value people. He encouraged every employee to practise the ethos of ‘serving someone everyday’, in order to translate goals into action, serve every member of society and thus propel the bank further down its path as a powerful force in the Sri Lankan financial services sector in the years ahead. 

In a fitting conclusion to the day’s events, in appreciation of the longstanding service of the bank’s employees, Sampath 25 Years’ Service Awards – 2019 was also held, recognising the 25 years of loyal service of 76 members who played a key role in the bank’s journey. 

Each employee was gifted a memento and commemorative gold sovereign by the bank’s Chairman and Managing Director, accompanied by the Group Chief Human Resource Officer, thereby felicitating the valuable service and unwavering commitment upon which the bank’s success was built.