Business

Sampath Bank hands over Pubbiliya Wewa, the 12th successful restoration project in its Wewata Jeewayak program

Published

4 years ago

2022/08/31

Dr. Lalith Weragoda - Chief Human Resource Officer, Sampath Bank PLC and Dushani M Weerawansha - Deputy Commissioner, Department of Agrarian Development, District Office, Kurunegala unveiling a commemorative plaque

Sampath Bank recently handed over restored Pubbiliya Wewa, a 45-acre tank in Pubbiliya, Kurunegala District at a ceremony attended by bank officers, members of the executive committee of the local farmers association, villagers, and officials from the Department of Agrarian Development’s Kurunegala District Office. This project involved restoring the tank spill and removing layers of accumulated sludge that had built up over decades of neglect. Pubbiliya Wewa, located about six kilometers northeast of Kobeigane, will irrigate over 210 acres of prime paddy lands. Over 160 farming families, comprising of more than 500 men, women and children, stand to directly benefit. Additionally, the ripple effects of the restoration will bestow economic benefits on five neighboring villages as well.

The Pubbiliya Wewa Restoration Project is part of the ‘Wewata Jeewayak’ (Life to Tanks), Sampath Bank’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. Begun more than twenty years ago, ‘Wewata Jeewayak’ is a committed, coordinated effort to rebuild and restore the traditional irrigation network and thus ensure a dependable supply of water for dry zone farmers to cultivate their paddy lands and reap the harvests of both the Yala and Maha paddy seasons. ‘Wewata Jeewayak’ is congruent with what business schools call the triple bottom line. It’s a value system based on the belief that instead of focusing solely on their financial performance, firms should commit to measuring their social and environmental impact on the ‘Three Ps’- People, Planet and Profit as well. It’s aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). In a nutshell, to improve the livelihood of the community (People), increase the water capacity of the tank (Planet), enrich the surrounding ecosystem (Planet), contribute to the national GDP (Profit), and empowering local agricultural entrepreneurs (People and Profit).

At the handing-over ceremony, Sampath Bank officers thanked the Pubbiliya Govi Sanvidhanaya (farmers’ association) for their wholehearted contribution. The Bank also thanked the representatives of the Department of Agrarian Development’s Kurunegala District Office for their invaluable technical support.

“Restoring the Dry Zone’s water-dependent ecosystems mean that farmers can cultivate paddy in both the Yala and Maha seasons, and contribute to the nation’s food security. This is very much a topic of concern in the present day. Tank restoration enriches the country’s biodiversity profile as well, when regional fauna and flora start flourishing again. So, the benefits are truly multifold”, said Ajantha De Vas Gunasekera, Executive Director / Chief Financial Officer, Sampath Bank PLC.

“It’s very gratifying to see a bank taking an interest in the agricultural economy, and getting actively involved in restoring ancient tanks,” said Kiribandiya, President of the Pubbiliya Govi Sanvidanaya. “Speaking as farmers, we understand how important it is to make the country self-sufficient in food. Committed long-term efforts such as Sampath Bank’s Wewata Jeewayak program will help us accomplish that goal.”

Despite the obstacles currently faced by the banking sector in Sri Lanka, Sampath Bank has successfully maintained all its capital ratios well above regulatory requirements throughout Q1 2022. All the while, Sampath Bank has implemented all government-led moratorium schemes for eligible customer segments affected by the pandemic. The Bank’s digitalization strategy has also continued to prove its worth during these trying times by securing a more accessible and safer banking experience for customers.

Sampath Bank is a 100% local bank that has deeply rooted itself in the lives of the people of Sri Lanka. Established in 1987, the 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. It has introduced many firsts to the Sri Lankan banking sector including introducing ATMs to Sri Lanka, extended banking hours, slip-less banking and adaptation of block-chain technology to name a few. As part of its visionary 2022 approach, the bank is steadily transforming itself into a ‘tech company engaged in banking,’ from the traditional approach of a bank adopting technology.

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Related Topics:Pubbiliya Wewa Sampath Bank Wewata Jeewayak program

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USD 57.4m power investment opens new route for SME energy savings

Published

9 hours ago

2026/10/9

Thilina Walpola

A rooftop solar panel in Sri Lanka

By Ifham Nizam

A USD 57.4 million investment package is set to reshape the economics of electricity for small and medium-sized businesses, while creating a stronger platform for private investment in rooftop solar and other distributed renewable-energy projects.

The financing package—comprising a USD 35 million concessional loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), a EUR 15.4 million grant from the European Union (EU), equivalent to USD 16.94 million, and a USD 5.5 million grant from the Japan Fund for the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JFJCM)—will finance a five-year programme to modernise the electricity distribution system from 2026 to 2030.

For the business community, one of the most significant elements is the planned introduction of Virtual Net Metering (VNM), which will be implemented in the country for the first time.

The EU-funded component will support 25 MW of aggregated rooftop solar PV capacity, specifically aimed at helping reduce the electricity-bill burden of small and medium-scale entrepreneurs.

The move could open a new investment channel for SMEs that have traditionally faced difficulties in absorbing high energy costs and making the upfront investment required for renewable-energy systems.

Rather than viewing rooftop solar simply as a household energy solution, the programme positions distributed solar as an important business-cost management tool.

For SMEs, which operate with considerably tighter margins than many large corporates, electricity expenditure can have a direct impact on competitiveness, cash flow and the ability to expand operations.

By allowing electricity generated from qualifying rooftop solar installations to be applied through a virtual net-metering arrangement, the programme is expected to broaden the economic benefits of solar power beyond individual premises.

The financial significance of the scheme extends beyond the initial 25 MW.

By establishing the infrastructure and regulatory framework required to manage aggregated distributed generation, the project could help create greater investor confidence in the development of decentralised renewable-energy assets.

The investment therefore has the potential to leverage additional private capital into the renewable-energy sector rather than functioning solely as a government-funded infrastructure programme.

The financing package is particularly notable because a substantial portion comes in the form of grants and concessional funding, reducing the cost of financing technologies that would otherwise require significant upfront capital.

The ADB loan will support the wider modernisation programme, while the EU and Japanese grant components will help finance renewable-energy integration and technologies designed to strengthen the grid.

At EDL, the investment will upgrade the existing CEBAssist platform with Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), a Distributed Energy Resource Management (DERM) system and distribution control centres supported by an Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS).

These systems will give the utility real-time visibility of electricity consumption and distributed generation, allowing it to manage an increasingly decentralised power system more efficiently.

That digital infrastructure is critical to the business case for expanding rooftop solar.

As more SMEs and other consumers generate their own electricity, the distribution network needs to know where generation is taking place, how much electricity is entering the grid and how those flows are affecting local network conditions.

Business

Renault Experience Centre opens at Majestic City

Published

9 hours ago

2026/10/9

Thilina Walpola

Renault has taken another significant step in its return to the Sri Lankan market with the opening of the Renault Experience Centre at Majestic City, Colombo, offering customers an opportunity to discover the brand and experience its latest models.

The Centre was officially declared open by Jawahar Ganesh, Group Managing Director of Associated Motorways (Private) Limited, accompanied by Prasanna de Silva, Director – Sales, AMW. The occasion was attended by AMW management and staff, members of the media, customers, well-wishers and other invited guests.

Located at the lobby of Majestic City, the Centre features three Renault models being introduced to the Sri Lankan market – the Renault Kwid, Renault Kiger and Renault Triber. Visitors can explore the vehicles, learn about their features and specifications, and take advantage of test drives available at the location.

Adding to the convenience for customers, AMW has ample stocks of Renault vehicles available in Sri Lanka, allowing customers to take delivery of their chosen vehicle without having to wait for months for it to arrive. Subject to completion of the necessary documentation and registration, customers can look forward to driving away in their new Renault within as little as one day, making the purchase experience faster and more convenient.

Customers can also enjoy greater peace of mind with a three-year manufacturer warranty, supported by dedicated Renault aftersales facilities to provide professional service and support throughout their ownership journey.

Commenting on the opening, Jawahar Ganesh, Group Managing Director of AMW, said, “We are delighted to welcome Renault back to Sri Lanka and to open the Renault Experience Centre at Majestic City. Renault is a brand with an exceptional heritage, a strong global presence and a reputation for innovation and distinctive automotive design. Through AMW, we are bringing that heritage and experience closer to Sri Lankan customers”.

Business

Dialog and Indira Cancer Trust continue breast cancer awareness initiative through Yeheli.lk

Published

9 hours ago

2026/10/9

Thilina Walpola

From left to right: Dr. Sanjeeva Gunasekera, President of the Sri Lanka College of Oncologists (SLCO), and Supun Weerasinghe, Director / Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata PLC, illuminate the Dialog Corporate Head Office in pink, joined by Dr. Lanka Jayasuriya Dissanayake, Chairperson of the Indira Cancer Trust, alongside representatives of the Indira Cancer Trust and the leadership of Dialog Axiata PLC, in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s #1 connectivity provider, marked the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month by illuminating its Corporate Head Office in pink, in partnership with the Indira Cancer Trust, to stand in solidarity with individuals and families affected by breast cancer and encourage greater awareness, regular screening and early detection.

Building on previous breast cancer awareness campaigns conducted through Dialog’s Yeheli.lk platform in collaboration with the Indira Cancer Trust, this year’s initiative will continue throughout October under the theme, ‘A Pledge from the Heart’. As part of the campaign, members of the public can visit yeheli.lk to register for a free monthly SMS reminder and take their pledge for early detection throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month.