Launches new initiative to enhance financial literacy and enterprise acumen of the next generation of Sri Lankans
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon is rolling out a new initiative called ‘Diribala Next Gen School Entrepreneurship Grooming Programme’ with the objective of empowering school entrepreneurship and fostering a transformative mindset among school entrepreneurship circles.
The inauguration of the Diribala Next Gen School Entrepreneur Grooming Programme was held recently at Yashodara Devi Balika Vidyalaya in Gampaha, a school renowned for its active entrepreneur circle. Numerous students at this school are running their own businesses in areas such as paper quilling, candle making, hair clips, arts, Cactus and food items.
Led by the Bank’s Deputy General Manager – Personal Banking Mr Delakshan Hettiarachchi, the event saw the participation of Mr Upali Jayasekara, Managing Director of Mega Heaters Group, as a special guest. Representing the school, Mrs. Gayani Wathsala, Principal of Yashodara Devi Balika Vidyalaya, and Mrs P. M. S. C. Pathiraja, Deputy Director of Education, were also in attendance.
GCE Advanced Level students actively participated in the event as they will be completing a Special Entrepreneur Project during Grade 12. Yashodara Devi Balika Vidyalaya initiated this project to train students in developing business concepts at the school level, under the guidance of the Principal and the Subject Coordinator, Mrs. Niroshi Damayanthi.
On behalf of Commercial Bank, Mr Hettiarachchi emphasised that Yashodara Balika Vidyalaya is just the starting point for Commercial Bank’s Next Gen Programme and expressed the Bank’s commitment to extend this initiative to other school entrepreneurship circles across the country in the future. He also mentioned that Commercial Bank will elevate this programme to the next level by training students to adapt to the changing business environment and overcome market barriers. Supporting the country’s SMEs is a national duty that Commercial Bank is dedicated to upholding, he said.
The first event was a resounding success, featuring a financial literacy programme and an inspiring motivational speech by Mr Upali Jayasekara, who emphasized the importance of an entrepreneurial mindset and encouraged students to embark on their own business ventures.
Mrs. P.M.S.C. Pathiraja highlighted the growing trend among students to start new businesses and noted the challenge of finding suitable markets for their products. She expressed optimism that programmes like this will greatly benefit the new generation by enhancing their entrepreneurial skills.
The programme is structured to give an opportunity to showcase their products during the events organized by the bank, improve financial literacy, provide technical support to further enhance the skills and knowledge of students in selected industries, with collaboration from both government and private institutions. This initiative also includes business mentoring for school children.
The bank expects to expand the programme to other schools, after building on the successful ventures created through Yashodara Devi Balika Vidyalaya. New business opportunities will groom school entrepreneurs and motivate the next generation, the Bank said.
Commercial Bank has conducted more than 173 awareness programmes and skills development programmes for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in different sectors of business in many areas of the country since 2011. These programmes have benefitted over 15,000 entrepreneurs and youth to date.
Commercial Bank is the largest private sector bank in Sri Lanka and the first Sri Lankan bank to be listed among the Top 1000 Banks of the World. The Bank is the largest lender to Sri Lanka’s SME sector and is a leader in digital innovation in the country’s Banking sector. Commercial Bank operates a strategically located network of branches and 966 automated machines island-wide, and has the widest international footprint among Sri Lankan Banks, with 20 outlets in Bangladesh, a Microfinance company in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, and a fully-fledged Tier I Bank with a majority stake in the Maldives.