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President Mahinda Rajapaksa officially opening the Navatkuli Sampath Bank ATM by performing the first transaction
Sampath Bank Plc contributed towards the re-building of the Navatkuli Railway Station, a key station on the Yal Devi route connecting Jaffna and Colombo which is resuming train services after a lapse of 24 years.
The improved station was declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksha on 13 October who also paid a memorable visit to the newly-installed Sampath ATM at the premise to make a transaction.
Sampath Bank took up this CSR initiative under the name ‘Emblem of Hope’, with the prime objective to improve the much-needed socio-economic progress in the northern region of Sri Lanka, and ultimately to contribute towards the development of the nation at large.
The newly-restored Navatkuli Station
The re-building of the Navatkuli Railway Station was a reiteration of the bank’s commitment to deliver sustainable solutions that contribute towards the development of all citizens in Sri Lanka. This initiative was a distinctive part of the ‘Uthuru Mithuru’ program, launched by the Government of Sri Lanka in March 2009, which aims to re-build the shattered lives of civilians within the country during the nearly three decades of civil war.
With over 100,000 residents in the immediate vicinity surrounding the Navatkuli Railway Station, Sampath Bank hopes that the ‘Emblem of Hope’ will be a social investment that contributes towards the empowerment of all stakeholders in the Northern Province.
Commenting on this initiative, Sampath Bank Deputy General Manager-Marketing and Business Development, Tharaka Ranwala stated: “The conclusion of the civil war in 2009 resulted in a ravaged North and East, with most of the stations on the Yal Devi route destroyed at the height of war. Therefore, in the recent past, Sampath Bank has through its numerous CSR initiatives like the ‘Emblem of Hope’, willingly embraced the national priority of the sustainable development of civilians and infrastructure in the Jaffna region.
“This initiative goes beyond a mere CSR project, as Sampath Bank genuinely aims to touch the hearts of the local community and in turn contribute towards uplifting their lives. Sampath Bank hopes that this genuine commitment will foster the development of a long lasting relationship with the people of the Jaffna District.”
Ranwala added: “Keeping this objective in mind, we extended our support that went above and beyond the reconstruction of the railway station, to refurbish the Navatkuli Children’s Library, re-stock the Children’s Library at the Chavakachcheri Urban Council and the construction of a new children’s park in Navatkuli area.
“Sampath Bank engaged in these additional activities, with a prime focus on improving the facilities provided to the local communities in the Jaffna District. This reflects the bank’s genuine commitment to uplifting the community and taking all CSR initiatives to another level. Sampath Bank hopes that these additional activities will contribute towards the development of the region, and further establish a long-standing relationship with the people of the Jaffna community today, tomorrow and into the future.”
In the recent past, Sampath Bank has undertaken a number of initiatives under the Banks 5E CSR framework, to deepen the connection and strengthen the strategic development of communities across the island including, ‘SampathNenaSaviya’, which was a host of different educational projects, ‘SampathSaviya’, ‘WewataJeewayak,’ and ‘GamataViduliya’ . With deep roots in social-conscience, Sampath Bank will continue to step up to social challenges and engage in similar CSR initiatives in their future endeavors.
President opens People’s Bank Group revamped Kodikamam Railway Station
President Mahinda Rajapaksa unveiling the commemorative plaque at the newly-renovated Kodikamam Railway Station. Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Douglas Devananda, People’s Bank Acting CEO/General Manager Sabri Ibrahim and People’s Leasing CEO/General Manager D.P Kumarage are also present
The Kodikamam Railway Station on the Northern ‘Yaal Devi’ Line restored with the funding of People’s Bank and People’s Leasing and Finance PLC was declared open to the public recently under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
As a part of their corporate social responsibility campaign, People’s Bank and People’s Leasing and Finance PLC took the initiative to re-build the Kodikamam Railway Station on the recently-restored northern ‘Yaal Devi’ line; a bridge which connects the hearts of the people of the north and south who were once divided by the 30-year war.
The Kodikamam Railway Station, being a main stopover on the northern railway track, handles the highest number of passengers for the Yaal Devi Line. The restoration project incurred a cost of approximately Rs. 45 million.
Minister of Transport Kumara Welgama, Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Douglas Devananda, Deputy Minister of Transport Rohana Dissanayake, Governor of the Northern Province P.A. Chandrasiri and Indian High Commissioner for Sri Lanka Y.K. Singha also graced the occasion.
Among other special guests were religious leaders, State officials and people’s representatives. Member of the Board of Directors of People’s Bank and Secretary of the Ministry of Co-operatives and Internal Trade P.K.D Amarawardhana, acting CEO/General Manager Sabri Ibrahim, CEO/General Manager of People’s Leasing D.P. Kumarage, Head of Marketing and Public Affairs Deepal Abeysekara, Deputy General Manager (Operations) Bonifus Silva, Deputy General Manager (Banking Support Services) B.M. Premanath, President of the Ceylon Bank Employees Union and Assistant General Manager A.K. Bandara, Jaffna Regional Manager K. Susendran and Manager of the Kodikamam Service Center N. Nagendra were also present. |
