Continuing its long-standing commitment to education and community empowerment, Seylan Bank PLC has opened its 291st ‘Pahasara’ Library at A/Buddhangala Central College, marking another milestone in the Bank’s flagship Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiative.

The opening ceremony, held on 27 March 2026, brought together education officials, banking representatives, teachers, parents and students in a celebration centred on learning, opportunity and youth empowerment.

The newly refurbished library was officially handed over following the successful completion of ‘Pahasara Week’, a student-focused engagement programme jointly organised by Seylan Bank and the school. As part of the initiative, the Bank also donated books, a laptop and a smart board to enhance access to modern learning and digital education resources.

The event was attended by Ruwan Maithripala, T.P. Jayasinghe, Kapila S. Kumara, Jananda Rathnayake, and Neel Nishantha.

Held between 24 and 26 March, ‘Pahasara Week’ featured a series of activities aimed at nurturing the athletic, creative and intellectual talents of students. The programme included a school cricket tournament, an interactive Tikiri Pola, a financial literacy workshop for students in Grades 10 and 11, and an art competition encouraging creativity and self-expression.

The financial literacy sessions formed a key part of the initiative, reflecting Seylan Bank’s broader vision of equipping young Sri Lankans with essential life skills and practical financial knowledge from an early age.

Commenting on the milestone, Asiri Abhayaratne said the opening of the 291st library marks another important step in the Bank’s journey towards establishing 300 ‘Pahasara’ Libraries islandwide.

“Seylan Bank remains committed to supporting education by refurbishing libraries and providing essential educational resources that help cultivate knowledge, creativity and financial literacy among students,” he said.

Launched on 1 March 2013, the ‘Pahasara’ Library Project has grown into one of Sri Lanka’s most impactful long-term educational sustainability initiatives, focusing on improving access to learning resources and strengthening school library infrastructure across the country.

As Seylan Bank approaches the landmark opening of its 300th ‘Pahasara’ Library, the initiative continues to play a vital role in empowering future generations, particularly in rural communities, while reinforcing the Bank’s commitment to building knowledge-driven and financially aware societies across Sri Lanka.

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Sampath Bank proudly marked the groundbreaking ceremony of five more tanks under its flagship sustainability initiative, the ‘WewataJeewayak’ tank restoration programme, reaffirming its long-standing commitment to empowering rural farming communities across Sri Lanka. This new phase of the initiative is set to uplift the livelihoods of 1,112 farming families while rejuvenating 2,182 acres of paddy lands.

The restoration effort spans five strategically vital tanks such as the Divuldamana Wewa – Damminna, Manik Wewa – Dimbulagala, Awwadukulam Wewa – Senapura, Ketthapahuwa Wewa – Maho, and Ketan Wewa – Hambantota. The Divuldamana Wewa will support 637 farming families and revitalise 1,575 acres of paddy land, while Manik Wewa in Dimbulagala and Awwadukulam Wewa in Senapura are set to benefit 65 and 150 farming families cultivating 161 and 155 acres, respectively, with technical support provided by the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority. Meanwhile, Ketthapahuwa Wewa in Maho and Ketan Wewa in Hambantota will uplift 160 and 100 farming families across 131 and 160 acres of paddy land, under the guidance of the Department of Agrarian Development. The restoration work across these tanks will include repairing tank bunds and sluice gates, removing accumulated sludge, clearing invasive aquatic plants, and constructing water distribution canals to ensure consistent irrigation.

Commenting on the milestone, Sanjaya Gunawardana, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sampath Bank, said, “As a bank deeply rooted in the heart of our communities, we recognise the transformative power of water in shaping resilient livelihoods. Through the ‘WewataJeewayak’ initiative, we are breathing new life into our irrigation system that sustain generations of farmers, enabling them to cultivate with confidence and contribute to our nation’s food security. This commitment reflects our unwavering dedication to creating sustainable value while honouring the heritage and vitality of rural Sri Lanka.”

This initiative also reflects Sampath Bank’s strong commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles, where environmental stewardship and community empowerment go hand in hand. Through its investment in sustainable agriculture and rural development, the Bank continues to play a vital role in building a more inclusive and resilient future for Sri Lanka.

Since its inception in 2001, the ‘WewataJeewayak’ programme has revitalised numerous tanks across the island, reaffirming Sampath Bank’s dedication to driving socio-economic progress while preserving Sri Lanka’s rich agrarian heritage. As work begins on these five tanks, the Bank continues its journey of nurturing communities, empowering farmers, and strengthening the nation’s agricultural future.

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