Sampath Bank has been awarded this International award for its unstinted commitment and dedication as a socially responsible corporate citizen in uplifting the living standards of Sri Lankans through numerous awareness programmes and community projects. This award will undoubtedly add integrity to the numerous accolades that the Bank has won over the years for its CSR activities.
The other key contributions to this award were its involvement in the development and strengthening of social wellness, the effort in minimizing the effect of their operations on the environment, for being committed to operate fair and transparently with the employees, community and the society at large.
Sampath Bank's Deputy General Manager, Marketing and Business Development, Tharaka Ranwala, who collected the award, expressed his gratitude to everyone in the Bank who contributed towards its recognition at an international CSR awards presentation.
The Asia Responsible Business Excellence Awards is an annual initiative, aiming at raising awareness on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) which is an added value for businesses, country and each individual, and to accelerate enterprises to imbibe principles of responsible business in to their operations. This initiative, which recognizes business enterprises and individuals in various categories, is supported by the World CSR Day. The applicants are rigorously assessed by business peers from all sectors. The awards encourage and celebrate the responsible business movement across the globe.
Sampath Bank has been in the forefront of pioneering CSR initiatives in the local banking sector and operates on a clearly defined CSR strategy and a comprehensive CSR framework called“5E CSR Model” which includes; Education for Development, Empowerment of Community, Ethics and Values, Environment Protection and Conservation and Entrepreneurship Development.
Up to now, the Bank has completed 250 community projects. Among the noteworthy projects are Sampath Saviya – Entrepreneur Development Programmes for budding entrepreneurs in all provinces including the North and East, Sampath Gamata Viduliya project conducted for Ipalogama villagers in Anuradhapura District, Sampath Wewata Jeewayak-reconstruction of the Dematawa Wewa in Panduvasnuwara in Kurunegala District, Grade 5 Scholarship Seminars held island-wide for the benefit of the Year 5 students and parents, endowment of the Neuro -Navigator worth of Rs. 48.9 million to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka and hospital renovations and other public awareness programmes.
Meanwhile, Sampath Bank was feted as the ‘Best Bank of Sri Lanka’ at the prestigious Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2014, for the second consecutive year In the past few years Sampath Bank has been the recipient of a wide range of local and international awards from several sectors. Sampath Bank was adjudged the 1st runner up, overall in the A category, at the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards in 2013, the country’s top most Corporate Social Responsibility Award organized by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.
Sampath Bank continuously strives to conduct its CSR activities for the advancement of the nation going beyond its commercial operations and engaging in multifaceted CSR projects every year while allocating a considerable sum of money to a dedicated fund. As a responsible corporate citizen Sampath Bank’s simple proposition is to make a better future for the nation as in keeping the promise of “We present your future”.
