Sampath Bank facilitates entrepreneurship development with ‘Sinhalen Business’

Continuing its legacy of nurturing entrepreneurs for over 30 years, Sampath Bank conducted a one-day program themed ‘Sinhalen Business’ free of charge for over 200 entrepreneurs as part of its flagship ‘Sampath Saviya’ entrepreneurship development initiative. 

Held at the Nawaloka Auditorium, the workshop attracted a cross section of representatives from a spectrum of key industries such as service and manufacturing industries as well as a number of self-made entrepreneurs, winners of the ‘Green Inventor’ program, aspiring undergraduates with business concepts, youth, women, senior citizens and differently-abled individuals. 

Launched in 2013, ‘Sampath Saviya,’ which is the core of Sampath Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility effort offers technical support and financial assistance to build Micro, Small and Medium scale Enterprises (MSME). 

“‘Sampath Saviya’ in general and the ‘Sinhalen Business’ program in particular are part and parcel of our sincere desire to support aspiring small and medium entrepreneurs to develop their respective businesses and become forceful participants of the nation’s economic progress. The ‘Sinhalen Business’ program focused on providing entrepreneurs with a number of key practical approaches to pursue business success. As such it was in line with our commitment to deliver the promise as the ‘Entrepreneur Development Partner’ to enterprise owners,” commented Sampath Bank PLC Assistant General Manager – Human Resources Lalith Weragoda.

‘Sampath Saviya’ in its essence is a specialised entrepreneurship development program that provides various financial and non-financial assistance to Sri Lankan entrepreneurs. Consequently, it contributes to nurture healthy communities, strengthen employment capabilities of MSMEs and in turn contribute to the sustainable development of the nation. Workshops such as the ‘Sinhalen Business’ fall into the ‘Credit Plus’ non-financial category which promote overall sustainability of businesses.

As one of the largest workshops conducted as part of the ‘Sampath Saviya’program, ‘Sinhalen Business’ program line-up included a comprehensive list of sessions on leadership, sales tactics, psychological approaches to branding as well as optimal utilisation of the services provided by Sampath Bank. 

Sampath Bank PLC Director and management consultant, executive coach and author Deepal Sooriyarachchi; senior consultant in sales training, coaching and personal financial planning, Suranjith Godagama; and human potential development trainer and author Chandana Gunawardane were the expert facilitators of the program. Program participants were able to present their queries and get the solutions during the panel discussion.

As a part of ‘Sampath Saviya’ program, a SME fair was also conducted last year themed ‘Saviyaka Abhiman’ (pride of strength) in collaboration with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Export Development Board (EDB), Divisional Secretariats and Competency-based Economies through Formation of Enterprise (CEFE) NET Sri Lanka to facilitate over 70 SMEs across the island to market their products, while providing the opportunity to acquire new market avenues.

Being a core value creator, Sampath Bank seeks to ensure a better and sustainable future for all its stakeholders through constant sustainability efforts. As such, with proving its commitment to engendering meaningful change for the nation, Sampath Bank strives to continue its efforts in nurturing and supporting entrepreneurs today, tomorrow and into the future.