Business
‘Sampath Bank helps uplift the nation during challenging year’
As a bank that takes pride in its Sri Lankan roots, Sampath Bank carried out several sustainability initiatives throughout the year aimed at community development, environmental protection and helping individuals and small businesses recover from the negative impacts caused by COVID-19. During this challenging year, the bank was not only able to deliver on its ongoing commitments but even initiated new projects to help revive the nation.
Key among these projects was the continuation of its ‘Wewata Jeewayak’ programme, which commenced in 2001 as a part of its community capacity-building initiatives. It also hopes to promote organic farming as a viable means of maintaining a sustainable livelihood through agriculture. Furthermore, this project contributes to the Bank’s triple bottom line as it enriches the lives of the community in the area, improves the water capacity of the tank and develops the surrounding eco-system, and empowers agri-entrepreneurs by making them financially inclusive.
This year Sampath Bank undertook two tank restoration projects under the programme. The first was to restore the Kindagalle tank, located in the Kokunnewa area of Bibile in the Monaragala district, which has a surface area of 15 acres and currently provides water to 62 acres of paddy land, benefitting 60 farmer families. Post restoration the tank will supply 262 acres of farming land with water, thereby directly benefiting 260 families. The restoration work includes excavation of the tank and rebuilding of the tank bund and spill, all of which is being carried out under the supervision and technical expertise of the Agrarian Development Department in Monaragala.
The second tank on which restoration work began was the Nalawagama Tank located at Nalawa village, Nochchiyagama in the Anuradhapura district. The tank has a surface area of 175 acres and currently provides water to 210 acres of paddy land, benefitting 175 families. Under the restoration, the tank’s sluice gates were completely replaced as this was identified by the bank as an urgent need. Before the restoration, the only way in which the gate could be opened or closed involved diving into over 10 feet of water, at great risk to the farmers’ lives.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the bank partnered with the CBL Group and WSO2 and jointly donated a state-of-the-art PCR laboratory to the Army Hospital in Colombo at a cost of approximately Rs. 32 million. The lab has a testing capacity of 600 samples per day, thereby expanding the national capacity to conduct PCR tests, which will enable health authorities to expand their testing base, identify those infected and provide treatment.
The Business World International Conference and Awards Ceremony organised by Business World International Organisation INC-USA, the event which is recognized as one of the most prestigious Business Award Festivals in the Asia Pacific Region, was held at the Mount Lavinia Hotel, Colombo with the participation of several business personalities and celebrities of Sri Lanka. The Joint Chief Guests were Dr. Purna Bahadur Nepali (Ambassador of Nepal to Sri Lanka) and Prof. Dr. Dietmar Doering (Founder / Chairman – AGSEP Research and Advisory Board Member of Business World International Organization – USA). Guests of Honour were Tham Whye Long (First Secretary/Head of Chancery – High Commission of Malaysia in Sri Lanka), Prof. Dr. Rohan De Silva (President – Sri Lanka Chamber of Small and Medium Industries), (Retd) Major General R. A. J. N. Ranasingha (RSP USP NDC MSC – Sri Lanka Army), Dr. Rohan Pallewatta (Excutive Chairman of the Start-Up High Tech Company – Lanka Harness, a BOI approved company operating in the Free Trade Zone at Biyagama in Sri Lanka), Dr. Kishu Gomes (Chairman – Exterminators PLC, Group Managing Director / CEO – Dreamron Group of Companies & Advisory Committee Member – Sri Lanka Tourism), Dian Gomes (Nonorary Consul of Georgia in Sri Lanka, Chairman – Colombo School of Business Management & Independent Non-Executive Director – Nestle Lanka Ltd).
Special Guests were Rt. Rev. Bishop Prof. Dr. Nissanka Weerappulige (Advisory Board Member of Business World International Organization – USA), Prof. Dr. Dame Anoma Weeraratne Wijenayake (Advisory Board Member of Business World International Organization – USA), Gerd Heinzerling (Advisory Board Member of Business World International Organization – USA), Priyantha Padmasiri (President – Sri Lanka Canada Business Council), M. H. K. M. Hameez (Vice President – Sri Lanka Canada Business Council & Immediate Past President – Sri Lanka Malaysia Business Council). The invitees were graciously welcomed by Dr. Anthony Dexter Fernando (Chairman – Business World International Organisation USA – International Chapter), Dr. Tharindu Wijenayake (Deputy Chairman – Business World International Organisation USA – International Chapter) and Dr. Emerita Wijenayake (Project Chairperson & Director – Business World International Organisation USA – International Chapter).
Sampath Bank recently formalised a strategic partnership with the Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at its Head Office. This partnership highlights Sampath Bank’s ongoing commitment to promoting innovation, driving business growth, and empowering Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Through this collaboration, Sampath Bank will serve as the official banking partner for the COYLE Awards and the Young Lankan Program, two flagship initiatives that recognise business excellence and nurture emerging leaders. Supporting these initiatives allows the Bank to create a strong pipeline for SME engagement, provide access to tailored financial solutions, and build meaningful relationships with the country’s leading entrepreneurs.
ANC, a leading Lankan higher education provider, partnered with Northwood University to host the 2025 NUCARS simulation in Sri Lanka for the first time. Held from April 7–11, the event brought together students from the U.S., Europe, and Sri Lanka for an immersive, hands-on learning experience in automotive retail strategy. Twenty-two ANC students participated, showcasing their ability to compete globally. Celebrating its 28th anniversary, NUCARS emphasized teamwork, cross-cultural collaboration, and real-world business decision-making—highlighting ANC’s commitment to delivering globally recognized education and empowering students with essential skills for the international marketplace, said a release.
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