SDB bank joins People’s Economic Forum hosted by SANASA International

Tuesday, 14 October 2025 00:42 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SDB bank partnered the People’s Economic Forum 2025, held on 26 September at the Hilton Colombo. Organised by SANASA International in partnership with the SANASA Movement, SDB Bank, Uttamavi Company, SANASA Life Insurance, and SANASA General Insurance, the summit highlighted the central role of cooperatives in advancing economic democracy, sustainable agriculture, and community resilience.

The event, attended by Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lalkantha, placed strong emphasis on the Government’s vision of economic democracy and the need for cooperative-led participation in national development. Further, the specialists from multiple sectors namely, SANASA Campus Vice Chancellor Prof. Gamini Senanayake, Asian Farmers’ Organisation for Sustainable Agriculture Secretary-General Esther Petunia, SANASA Agroecology Education Program Chief Adviser Dr. Lionel Weerakoon, University of Colombo Faculty of Science Prof. Devaka Weerakoon, Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement President Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, Lanka Rating CEO Dr. Kenneth De Silva, and SANASA Movement Founder Dr. P.A. Kiriwandeniya.

The summit brought together policymakers, cooperative leaders, academics, and international partners to exchange knowledge and chart pathways for inclusive economic progress. As a development bank with deep cooperative roots, SDB bank consistently encourages and directs its co-operative partners to participate in such knowledge-sharing forums, helping them strengthen both their financial and technical literacy while enhancing their capacity to contribute more effectively to community and national development.

SDB bank Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer Kapila Ariyaratne said: “At SDB Bank, our very foundation is rooted in the cooperative philosophy. We believe that cooperatives are not only vital for strengthening livelihoods and communities but are also an indispensable mechanism for achieving economic democracy. As a development bank with deep cooperative ties, we see it as our responsibility to support initiatives that amplify people’s collective participation in building Sri Lanka’s economy. In this spirit, we consistently support and encourage our cooperative partners in their efforts in organising knowledge-sharing forums such as the People’s Economic Forum, enabling them to strengthen both their financial and technical literacy and contribute more effectively to sustainable community development.”

The Forum also highlighted 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives, recognising the sector’s contribution to stabilising Sri Lanka’s fragile economy, strengthening the national food system, and building sustainable communities. SANASA International Managing Director/ People’s Economic Forum Chief Organiser Samadanie Kiriwandeniya said: “Cooperatives have always been at the heart of our journey, shaping the mission and values that guide us today. Events such as the People’s Economic Forum are important platforms that remind us of the power of collective action in transforming economies and building sustainable Communities. At SANASA International, we remain steadfast in our mission to provide accessible, inclusive solutions that empower cooperatives, farmers, and communities to thrive in a rapidly changing world.”