HNB Museum opens

by Irangika Range

Hatton National Bank (HNB) recently opened its "HNB Museum", to display the rich history of the bank and the progress of the banking industry in Sri Lanka for the benefit of the public and schoolchildren.

Having incorporated other exhibits such as the historic rock inscription Thonigala Sellipiya which is the great evidence available proving the existence of a regional banking system in Sri Lanka and rare Sri Lankan coins, this museum took on a whole new dimension, making its importance, one of national pride.

Central Bank Governor, Sunil Mendis said with the opening of this HNB museum, the bank has shown a great evolution in the banking system to command a pre-eminent nationwide position among private sector commercial banks in Sri Lanka.

Although banks are engaged mostly in financial transactions, the HNB has historic values, which reveal the progress of banking in Sri Lanka.

"HNB is able to show a very broad preview of the banking history in Sri Lanka and what it has displayed today is a glimpse of this extremely important history," he said.

HNB Chairman Rienzie T. Wijetilleke said that their efforts to collect and display the cherished heritage of HNB dating back to 1888,the year of its inception, has today become much larger. This HNB Museum is the final phase of the "HNB Towers project", which commenced almost a decade ago.

We are very keen to have on display various records and items, which depict the progress of the banking system in Sri Lanka, and in particular the contribution that HNB has made towards it over the years," the Chairman said.

He said that the bank's strong relationship with different segments of the population the young, old, rich, poor, professionals, corporate sector, the middle level businesses, traders, cultivators and the village people will be further strengthened when they see our glorious history.

This is also good opportunity for schoolchildren to learn what is the banking system and what benefits could obtain from the banking institutions for whatever responsibilities they take on as adults," he said.