Sampath Bank inaugurates Earth Watchmen initiative

Sampath Bank Senior Deputy General Manager – Consumer Banking Tharaka Ranwala watering a sapling he had planted at the University of Jaffna’s Department of Engineering and Agriculture in Kilinochchi during the inaugural tree plantation drive of the Earth Watchmen initiative

• 2 million trees to be planted in line with the 2019 Cricket World Cup

Cricket in Sri Lanka is not just a sport, it’s a way of life. If you are Sri Lankan, whether or not you love the game, play the game or watch it, somehow cricket has the ability to get in the way of everyday life. And whilst cricket bats are fundamental to the game of cricket, the trees used to manufacture these bats are essential to life.

Leveraging the euphoria around the upcoming Cricket World Cup 2019, Sampath Bank PLC has joined hands with Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation to inaugurate the Earth Watchmen initiative – a program which seeks to draw on the nation’s passion for cricket to rally all Sri Lankans to give back to the environment the trees that are taken away to manufacture its equipment.

The organisers hope to plant over two million tress around the country by the World Cup in May 2019, by reaching out to cricketing legends in the country to raise awareness on and support for this cause. Working together with the relevant government bodies as well as responsible corporates and individuals, they will be targeting District Secretariats and state run universities and schools to create green corridors around the island. Sri Lanka is set to take the lead in what they hope would be a stepping stone for the rest of the cricketing nations to follow suit in creating a better environment for future generations.

Sampath Bank was the exclusive sponsor of the inaugural tree plantation drive at the University of Jaffna’s Department of Engineering and Agriculture in Kilinochchi. The first set of saplings were planted by the President and representatives from the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment; University of Jaffna; Sampath Bank and Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation at this event. Over 1,500 saplings are to be planted around the faculty during the course of this leg of the project to create four tree-lined, green corridors.

“As a responsible corporate citizen, Sampath Bank has always been committed to the cause of environment conservation. In line with this, we are delighted to partner with Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation on the Earth Watchmen initiative,” said Sampath Bank PLC Senior Deputy General Manager – Consumer Banking Tharaka Ranwala.  “As a first step, we have extended our support as the exclusive partner of the inaugural tree plantation drive in Kilinochchi. Continuing to work together with the organisers on this, we also seek to raise awareness amongst our customers and team members and enlist their support too.”

“The Earth Watchmen initiative was envisaged as a concerted, long term effort to improve the green cover around the island, brought to life with the support of the Government as well businesses and individuals. We would like to thank Sampath Bank for believing in our cause and supporting us right from the onset. Having come on board as the exclusive sponsor for our inaugural tree plantation drive, their endorsement is sure to help us garner greater support for this initiative,” said Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Director General Saranga Wijeyarathne.

Commencing with ‘A Minute for the Environment – Parisarayata Vinadiyak’ in 1987, Sampath Bank has a long history of supporting environment conservation initiatives. The Bank has been restoring tanks in the country’s dry zone under the Sampath Wewata Jeewayak program which also empowers Agri-entrepreneurs in the region. Sampath Bank has partnered with Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL) on the restoration of degraded fern land in Halgahawala, Opatha and the development of a biodiversity credit accrual system for Sri Lanka. The Bank is funding BSL’s pilot project in the Kanneliya Conservation Forest as well as working closely with partners to monitor its progress based on ecological and biological indicators. The annual Sampath Green Inventor competition organised by the Bank seeks to nurture and recognise budding green inventors from state and private universities and green entrepreneurs involved in the development of sustainable eco-friendly solutions through its national-level.

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 and stand out as the bank of choice for many in Sri Lanka.