Business

Sampath Bank ties personal emotional experience to a larger meaningful mission

Published

1 year ago

2025/02/24

By Sanath Nanayakkare

More than 20 years ago, Sampath Bank recognised the immense value of the ‘Wewa’ system, a critical component of paddy-irrigation in Sri Lanka. In this context, Sampath Bank PLC’s ‘Wewata Jeewayak’ programme is a dedicated effort to restore the traditional irrigation network constructed by the ancient kings of Sri Lanka. This initiative aims to rebuild tanks that have suffered neglect and ruin over time. The primary goal of the ‘Wewata Jeewayak’ programme is to ensure a dependable year-round water supply for farmers in the dry zone, enabling them to cultivate paddy lands and harvest both Yala and Maha cropping seasons while having access to drinking water. This endeavour safeguards the livelihood of this vulnerable segment of society while ensuring the sustainability of the country’s ‘genuine’ rice suppliers. Sampath Bank is supported in this endeavour by the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka, the Department of Agrarian Development, and the Farmers Association in the regions.

Just ahead of the completion of the restoration of the 25th irrigation tank, Sampath Bank premiered a short film last week for the media, illustrating the essence of its work in this worthy cause.

The film’s storyline, as seen through the eyes of a print media journalist, unfolds as follows:

The silver screen in the dark auditorium engulfs a remote, arid region in southern Sri Lanka, where the landscape is harsh and unforgiving. Makeshift houses are scattered far apart, isolated from each other, and the scorching sun beats down on the parched earth. Life here is a daily struggle, especially for water, which is scarce and precious.

A well-dressed, middle-aged gentleman, clearly an urban elite from Colombo’s corporate world, travels alone in his pickup truck, navigating the rugged terrain. Suddenly, his truck’s engine begins to overheat, and he realizes he needs water to cool it down. Desperate, he looks around but sees no one in sight. The vast emptiness of the landscape amplifies his anxiety.

Just as hope seems lost, he spots an elderly farmer in the distance. The farmer, weathered by years of hardship, approaches with quiet dignity. The urban elite explains his predicament, and without hesitation, the farmer disappears into his modest home and returns with a plastic container holding some water, a significant portion of his meager supply. The farmer hands it over without a word, his silent generosity speaking volumes.

As the urban elite continues his journey, he circles the village and witnesses the immense struggle the villagers face to access water. He sees women and children trekking long distances, carrying heavy containers on their heads and carts, their faces etched with exhaustion. Among them is the elderly farmer, who had so selflessly shared his precious resource.

Weeks later, the farmer is visited by a uniformed driver who informs him that the urban elite wishes to see him. Curious, the farmer is taken to a dried-up tank in the village. There, he finds the urban elite, who has initiated a project to restore the tank, enabling it to collect and store rainwater for the community. The farmer is overwhelmed with gratitude, realizing the profound impact this will have on his life and the lives of his fellow villagers.

The story reaches its emotional climax when it is revealed that the urban elite is a key decision-maker at Sampath Bank. Inspired by the farmer’s selflessness and the village’s plight, the bank has undertaken a mission to restore ancient water tanks across the country. To date, they have restored 24 tanks and are in the process of starting the 25th. The farmer’s act of kindness has sparked a ripple effect, transforming countless lives.

The film ends with the farmer and his community celebrating their newfound access to water, their faces radiant with joy and relief. The urban elite watches from a distance, a quiet smile on his face, knowing that his journey to this remote village has not only changed their lives but also his own.

Portraying the struggles of a poor peasant in a harsh, unforgiving terrain, versatile actor Sarath Kothalawala delivers a performance that is nothing short of extraordinary. His portrayal of the humble farmer, who selflessly donates his hard-collected water, is imbued with such depth and authenticity that it transcends the screen. Sarath breathes life into the character with a raw, emotional intensity that leaves an indelible mark on the viewer. Not a single pair of eyes in the auditorium remained dry, as his performance evoked a profound sense of empathy and admiration. Sarath Kothalawala has truly elevated the art of performance, making the character’s sacrifice and humanity resonate deeply with all who witness it.

Sampath Bank’s short film masterfully leverages the actor’s talent and the power of its theme song to transform the script into a compelling infomercial that prioritises substance over salesmanship. By doing so, it enables viewers to gain a deeper appreciation for the genuine impact of the Bank’s ‘Wewata Jeewayak’ CSR programme.

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Business

Cargills adopts Crow Island Beach in partnership with Clean Ocean Force Lanka

Published

12 hours ago

2026/03/26

Sahan Weerasooriya

Cargills Food and Beverage Ltd. through its brands KIST and Knuckles, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Clean Ocean Force Lanka (COF) to adopt Crow Island Beach for one year, reinforcing its commitment to long-term coastal conservation in Sri Lanka.

This pioneering initiative is designed to protect and preserve the coastal environment through several key measures, including the removal of plastic and other pollutants from the beach and surrounding coastal area. As part of the adoption programme, the beach will be maintained daily with the support of dedicated beach caretakers, while also supporting their livelihoods by providing meaningful income opportunities.

Marking the partnership and in celebration of World Recycling Day, a coastal clean-up programme was conducted at Crow Island Beach to remove plastic and other manmade pollutants. Volunteers from Cargills, Clean Ocean Force Lanka, the Interact Club of Colombo, the Colombo Municipal Council and the Women’s Force of COF Negombo (Sri Vimukthi Association) participated in the clean-up with support from the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), the Sri Lanka Police Environmental Division and the Ministry of Local Government and Environment as well as the Crow Island Beach Park Society.

Jerome Fernando, Chairman & Co-founder of Clean Ocean Force Lanka said that, “Marine & Coast Conservation demands a unified front. Our unique Public-Private-People Partnership model is the cornerstone of our mission, and today, we are thrilled to welcome Cargills (Ceylon) PLC as a vital partner in this journey adopting the Crow Island Beach for the next one year. This collaboration will not only amplify our efforts to eliminate plastic and manmade pollutants from our beaches, but also reinforce our commitment to empowering marginalized communities through sustainable livelihood opportunities. Cargills’ deep-rooted dedication to environmental sustainability and community wellbeing perfectly aligns with our vision.”

Jagath Gunasekara, General Manager of MEPA added, “The Marine Environment Protection Authority consistently promotes active private sector engagement in marine and coastal conservation, as well as pollution control initiatives. This approach aligns closely with our Beach Caretaker Programme. We are pleased to collaborate with Cargills (Ceylon) PLC in the adoption of Crow Island Beach through our long-standing partnership with Clean Ocean Force Lanka.”

During the event, Knuckles also launched Sri Lanka’s first tethered bottle cap, introducing a packaging innovation aimed at improving plastic waste management and supporting recycling efforts. The tethered cap is designed to remain attached to the bottle after opening, reducing the likelihood of caps being discarded separately. Bottle caps are among the most commonly littered plastic items globally and frequently enter landfills and waterways due to their small size and low collection rates.

Speaking on the initiative, Arjuna Kumarasinghe, Managing Director of Cargills Food & Beverage Ltd., said, “Cargills has always believed in taking responsibility for the communities and environments around us. By adopting Crow Island Beach, we’re able to work closely with our partners and local volunteers to protect this part of our coastline. Launching the tethered bottle cap is another way we’re addressing plastic waste and making recycling easier for everyone.”

Business

CBSL adopts cautious stance in the face of economic uncertainties

Published

12 hours ago

2026/03/26

Sahan Weerasooriya

Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe; focus on inflation stabilization

The Central Bank is keeping its overnight policy rates unchanged, adopting a cautious stance amid uncertainty over the inflationary impact of energy prices due to the Middle East crisis.

‘We maintained the overnight policy rate at 7.75 percent, considering low inflation and a restrained approach on the fallout of the US-Israeli war on Iran, Central Bank Governor Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe said.

The Governor made these remarks yesterday at a press briefing held at the Central Bank head office in Colombo to announce the monthly monetary policy stance.

Dr Weerasinghe added: ‘Inflation is now expected to reach the Central Bank’s target of 5 percent in the second quarter of 2026, after Sri Lanka raised fuel prices by about 35 percent this month.

‘However, spillovers from the ongoing conflict could weigh on domestic economic activity in the period ahead should the conflict be prolonged.

‘The rates were steady since last May as the nation recovers from a 2022 financial crisis driven by a severe dollar shortage.

‘Supported by a US$ 2.9 billion programme with the IMF, Sri Lanka posted a strong economic recovery last year, growing by 5 percent and now targeting growth between 4 percent and 5 per cent in 2026.

‘What stands out is that they see space for inflation to rise because of energy prices but still stay contained.

‘From now to June, underlying economic momentum has the space to keep pace despite the disruption because domestic liquidity and credit has been quite substantial as well.

‘An IMF team will arrive in Colombo on Friday for the combined fifth and sixth reviews of the bailout.

‘Furthermore, Gross Official Reserves increased to US$ 7.3 billion at end February 2026 and the Central Bank purchased a substantial amount of foreign exchange from the market in the first two months of the year.

‘However, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East poses risks to Sri Lanka’s external sector outlook, particularly through energy, tourism, trade and remittance flows, although the overall magnitude of the impact remains uncertain.

‘While the Sri Lanka rupee remained relatively stable in early 2026, some depreciation pressures were observed following the onset of the Middle East conflict, similar to the exchange rates of regional peers.

‘Meanwhile, the Monetary Policy Board remains prepared to implement appropriate policy measures to ensure that inflation stabilizes around the target, while supporting the economy to reach its potential.’

By Hiran H Senewiratne

Business

Dialog Unveils Dialog Play Mini with Netflix and Apple TV

Published

12 hours ago

2026/03/26

Sahan Weerasooriya

Dialog Television, Sri Lanka’s #1 Pay-TV service provider, has announced the latest upgrade to its smart entertainment lineup with the Dialog Play Mini, featuring seamless access to global streaming platforms including Netflix, Apple TV and YouTube, alongside the Dialog Play entertainment ecosystem for a unified viewing experience. Previously known as the ViU Mini, the device has now been reintroduced as the Dialog Play Mini, reflecting the evolution of Dialog’s digital entertainment platform under the Dialog Play brand.

The Dialog Play Mini transforms any television into a smart 4K entertainment hub by enabling hybrid multi-platform streaming across leading global and local content platforms, delivering a smoother, more intuitive viewing experience. Whether enjoying Netflix originals, Apple TV exclusives, or local favorites, households can now experience world-class entertainment in one compact device.

The Dialog Play Mini brings a streamlined, user-friendly experience to any home setup. Its single numeric-keypad remote controls both the TV and the device, offering simplicity and convenience for everyday viewing. With multiple connectivity options including Wi-Fi, hotspot, LAN, or wingle, the device ensures uninterrupted entertainment even in areas without smart TVs or advanced broadband setups.

Bridging the gap between entry-level set-top boxes and premium Android TV devices, the Dialog Play Mini offers a plug-and-play smart experience. Supported by Dialog’s nationwide service network, local warranty, and after-sales care, it delivers a reliable, feature-rich entertainment experience for Sri Lankan homes.

“With Dialog Play Mini, entertainment becomes more directly accessible for every Sri Lankan home – with or without a Smart TV,” said Lim Li San, Group Chief Operating Officer of Dialog Axiata PLC. “By bringing Netflix, Apple TV, YouTube, and Dialog Play together in one compact 4K-ready device, we’re redefining home entertainment through simplicity, innovation, and the power of connectivity.”

The Dialog Play Mini is now available at Dialog Experience Centers and authorized retailers islandwide. To purchase online, please visit

https://dialog.lk/dialog-play-mini