Colombo, March 29th, 2022: With the aim of protecting the environment and investing in climate change, Sampath Bank has partnered up with the ‘10,000 trees campaign with the Rotary Club of Colombo’. An event to mark the investment and collaboration on this project was held recently at the Sampath Bank’s Head Office. Accordingly, the Bank is expected to facilitate the planting of 7,500 trees at two locations of Hayleys plantations, who will oversee the planting and nurturing of the trees.
The event was held with the participation of the Managing Director, Sampath Bank PLC – Nanda Fernando, Snr DGM – Group Marketing, Deposit Mobilization and Digitalization, Sampath Bank PLC – Tharaka Ranwala, Group Chief Human Resource Officer, Sampath Bank PLC – Lalith Weragoda, and Chief Manager – Marketing, Sampath Bank PLC – Pujitha Rajaypaksa. From Rotary Club Colombo, Aroshi Nanayakkara, President of Rotary Club of Colombo and Rotary District Governor.
Through the years, Sampath Bank has shown its commitment to mitigating climate change with various CSR programmes and initiatives that were launched with the aim of preserving the natural environment and reducing its carbon footprint. and. The Bank’s long-standing contribution to the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka, as well as the Halgahawala forest reserve Biodiversity Conservation Project in Collaboration with Biodiversity Sri Lanka, and the ‘Gasai Mamai Pubudu Potai’ tree planting programme, are a few such initiatives. The collaboration with the Rotary Club of Colombo and Hayleys PLC to plant 7,500 trees is the latest addition to that portfolio of climate action taken by the Bank.
Each tree planted under this initiative will become fully grown in 20-30 years, all the while, contributing towards diminishing greenhouse gases and achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of climate action (SDG 13). Additionally, through this programme, the bank seeks to play their part in achieving the Sustainable Development goal of “Life on Land” (SDG 15). The Sampath Bank team has expressed their enthusiasm in engaging with this tree planting programme right from its inception and having a hands-on approach with this valuable national service right to its completion. The Bank has also expressed its sense of responsibility in aiming to obtain the carbon certificate, which will off-set its carbon footprint.
Commenting on this programme Nanda Fernando – Managing Director, Sampath Bank PLC said, “The world is reeling from the health and financial crises brought on by the pandemic and other issues such as global warming. As a national bank that values sustainability and development, taking measures to mitigate climate change is a priority for us. For years we’ve taken several courses of action and been a part of many environmental CSR programmes that sought to alleviate risks associated with this global crisis. Through this latest programme of planting 7,500 trees, Sampath Bank wishes to extend its support and commitment once again, towards building a greener, more climate-ready Sri Lanka.”
President of the Rotary Club of Colombo and a Board Director at Sampath Bank PLC, Aroshi Nanayakkara said, “The Rotary Club is guided by a deep commitment to fellowship and service. We actively seek opportunities that allow us to connect with our people through noble causes that are directed towards environmental stewardship. Being a representative of both the Rotary Club of Colombo and Sampath Bank PLC, I see this collaboration as a promising venture into achieving sustainable goals. Especially since these institutions have, over many years, shown an unyielding dedication to building communities and protecting our planet.”
Sampath Bank is a 100% local bank that has deeply rooted itself in the hearts 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 the introduction of ATMs to Sri Lanka, extended banking hours, slip-less banking and touchless ATM withdrawals, to name a few. The Bank continues to steadily transform itself into a technology-driven financial services provider whilst keeping true to traditions and values.