Sampath Bank, official banker of the Colombo International Book Fair 2013 for 10th consecutive year
Saturday, 5 October 2013 00:00
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Sampath Bank was the official banker of the Colombo International Book Fair 2013 for the 10th consecutive year. The book fair was held at BMICH from 14 to 22 September, 2013. This was a highly recognised and much awaited event in the local calendar and patronised by millions of both local and foreign book lovers. The Colombo International Book Fair is a catalyst in instilling the reading habit among the masses.
Commenting on the facilities offered, Sampath Bank Deputy General Manager Marketing and Business Development Tharaka Ranwala said that the prime objective was to encourage the reading habit among the children as well as the young and the old as a socially responsible corporate citizen. “The Colombo International Book Fair was an event most looked forward to by the masses in Sri Lanka,” he added.
Sampath cardholders visiting the Colombo International Book Fair held at the BMICH got an additional 5% discount when they paid for their purchases with either a Sampath Credit Card or VISA Debit Card.
Sampath Bank also ensured that the visitors who turned up in thousands would have the facility of conveniently obtaining cash they needed through the ATM machine at the Sampath Bank Stall. The staff of the bank also facilitated the banking needs of both participants and merchants at the fair.
As in previous years, this year too Sampath Bank sponsored the ‘Ketapath Pavura’ where the visitors could scribble their thoughts on the Fair. The most creative poems, lyrics and verses were selected at the end of each day and the best compositions were published at the end of the book fair.
In addition, Sampath Bank was also the sponsor 4th consecutive year of the prestigious ‘Swarna Pusthaka Award’ 2013, which is the most esteemed national honour given to the best Sinhala novel every year. From the entries; 120 books were published this year, five books were short listed at the end and the novel “Kala Sarpa”, a Sarasavi Publication written by Keerthi Welisarage was awarded the “Swarna Pusthaka Award and a cash prize as the best Sinhala novel for the year.
The Colombo International Book Fair, organised by the Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association for the 15th year attracts a large number of both international and local booksellers who exhibit books on varied subjects and disciplines written in Sinhala, Tamil and English. Like in previous years, people from all parts of the island visited this year’s Book Fair.
