ComBank supports first Sri Lanka-New Zealand Rugby series in 70 years

Friday, 2 May 2025 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Commercial Bank DGM Corporate Banking – Hasrath Munasinghe (fourth from left) and DGM – Human Resources Management Isuru Tillakawardana (right) at the jersey handing over ceremony

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has pledged its support for New Zealand’s Under-85KG Rugby Team Tour of Sri Lanka in May 2025, as the Co-sponsor of the Sri Lanka Men’s team.

The two-match series is the first 15-a-side clash between the two countries since 1955. Global rugby icons such as, a World Cup-winning coach, the legendary Sir Graham Henry, and a leading New Zealand rugby commentator Scotty Stevenson, are directly involved in the event, adding prestige and attracting global attention.

To mark this partnership between Commercial Bank and the tour organisers, a jersey handover and sponsor unveiling ceremony was held recently at the Race Course Grounds, Colombo, with the participation of officials of Sri Lanka Rugby and representatives of Commercial Bank’s corporate management led by Deputy General Manager – Corporate Banking Hasrath Munasinghe and Deputy General Manager – Human Resources Management Isuru Tillakawardana.

Aligning with this historic international rugby event, Commercial Bank said, reinforces its role as a catalyst for youth empowerment, athletic excellence, and community pride. Furthermore, the sponsorship allows the Bank to extend its community engagement efforts, promote positive national sentiment, and contribute to positioning Sri Lanka as a vibrant and welcoming hub for global sporting events.

The tour is of significance also because it is linked an ambitious environmental initiative – the planting of 1,223 endangered trees in Sri Lanka under the Black Forest project. The bank said this aligns closely with its sustainability goals, offering a platform to promote eco-consciousness and demonstrate how corporate entities can meaningfully support both sports and environmental preservation.

The two New Zealand – Sri Lanka matches take place on 4 May (Kandy) and 10 May (Colombo), and the tour also includes coaching programmes, training sessions, and environmental activities between in multiple locations including Kandy and Colombo.

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