Business
Sampath Bank hands over Pubbiliya Wewa, the 12th successful restoration project in its Wewata Jeewayak program
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.
Indra Traders recently introduced a special programme titled “Athwela” in collaboration with the Bank of Ceylon (BOC).
The programme was designed with a primary focus on customer convenience, aiming to provide essential support by simplifying the financial challenges often associated with vehicle purchasing and servicing. This initiative is regarded as a further strengthening of the trust and relationships Indra Traders has built over its decades of service excellence.
The partner for this program, the Bank of Ceylon (BOC), is Sri Lanka’s largest state bank and a premier financial institution. It offers an extensive island-wide branch network, exceptional customer service, and some of the most competitive interest rates in the market.
Speaking at the event, Rushanka Silva, Managing Director of Indra Traders, said: “Today is a very special day for us. As Indra Traders, a company engaged in business for over five decades, it is a great honor to enter into the ‘Athwela’ agreement with Sri Lanka’s largest bank. Through this program, we are working to provide various financial and service facilities, including leasing. As a company that imports everything from the smallest to the largest vehicles, we provide customers the opportunity to purchase any vehicle they need through our six yards located across the island. Even if a specific vehicle is not in our current stock, we are prepared to import it according to the customer’s requirement. I invite all customers to join hands with ‘Athwela’.”
Y. A. Jayathilaka, General Manager of Bank of Ceylon, added “At a time when restrictions on vehicle imports have been relaxed, it is a great pleasure for Bank of Ceylon, the strongest bank in the country, to partner with Indra Traders – a company with over 50 years of trusted history. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive and convenient service to leasing customers across the island by combining BOC’s extensive branch network with Indra Traders’ expertise.”
The Sri Lankan Embassy in Beijing together with Beijing Capital Airlines last week organized a destination promotion event and announced the launch the Capital Airlines direct flights from Beijing to Colombo.
While congratulating Beijing Capital Airlines for expanding the connectivity between Beijing and Colombo, the Sri Lanka Ambassador Majintha Jayesinghe highlighted the longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries and the significance of strengthening connectivity in line with the Joint Statement issued following the meeting in January 2025 between President Xi Jinping and President Anura Kumara Disanayaka, a news release from the embassy said.
The President of the Beijing Capital Airlines Liu Jun expressed appreciation and stated that the new route is an important milestone in expanding the airline’s South Asian network while strengthening the Air Silk Route. He also highlighted that this is the only direct flight connecting Northern China with Sri Lanka and a key Capital-to-Capital air link, it added.
There was no word about the flight frequency and when the service will begin.
Ambassador Jayesinghe reiterated that Sri Lanka is more than a holiday destination and is positioned as an exotic, experienced-rich, year-round travel destination offering warm and pleasant weather. He emphasized that Sri Lanka, as a stand-alone destination, provides a blend of rich history, eight UNESCO heritage sites, diverse landscapes, pristine beaches, dense forests, and scenic mountains, inviting Chinese travellers to explore and enjoy Sri Lanka.
The commencement of the Beijing – Colombo route will contribute to the social and economic development of both countries. The Beijing- Colombo service has filled a longstanding gap in the aviation market and will further promote the economic, trade, cultural and tourism development, while offering more convenient travel options, the news release said.
SLT-MOBITEL Mobile, in collaboration with Fintelex (Pvt) Ltd, has launched ‘Yaya Agro’, an exclusive all-in-one smart agriculture app designed to empower Sri Lankan farmers with the tools they need to grow smarter, safer, and more sustainably.
Yaya Agro represents a new era of digital farming in Sri Lanka combining technology, expert knowledge, and community empowerment to provide farmers the confidence to make smarter decisions, improve productivity, and build a sustainable future.
Developed with support from GIZ and Hatch and validated by leading academic and professional institutions including the University of Colombo, Institute for Agrotechnology and Rural Sciences, and the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, Yaya Agro combines agricultural expertise, real-time weather updates, first aid support, and AI-powered assistance into a single, easy-to-use platform.
The launch of Yaya Agro positions SLT-MOBITEL as an innovative, inclusive, and collaborative technology leader. Partnering technology and academic institutions, the company extends its role outside the sector into agriculture, empowering farmers with AI-driven tools, multilingual access, and market connectivity. The initiative also strengthens SLT-MOBITEL’s image as a champion of digital empowerment and sustainable development in Sri Lanka.
Functioning as a comprehensive digital companion, Yaya Agro is positioned as a digital farming companion, bringing precision agriculture, real-time support, and market access to the fingertips of every Sri Lankan farmer.
Whether managing a small home garden or a large commercial farm, the app equips farmers with vital insights to improve crop yield, reduce risks, and connect directly with buyers through the integrated online marketplace.
Yaya Agro offers farmers daily crop information with expert tips on management, pest control, and best practices, all validated by the University of Colombo. It provides accurate, location-based weather forecasts to help plan farming activities more effectively. The app also delivers life-saving first aid tutorials and safety information verified by the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, ensuring farmers are prepared for emergencies. With the AI chatbot assistant, farmers can access instant, personalized advice around the clock, with smart notifications delivering timely alerts and reminders tailored to crop cycles.
To make learning inclusive and accessible, Yaya Agro is available in Sinhala, Tamil, and English, offering interactive educational content such as videos, voice guides, and infographics. The app also integrates an online marketplace, developed in partnership with GIZ and Hatch, enabling farmers to connect directly with buyers and expand their reach.
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