ComBank's CSR Trust paves the way to Sri Pada

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has taken the lead to help devotees visiting Sri Pada (Adam's Peak), the only mountain in the world considered sacred by the followers of many different faiths.

The Corporate Social Responsibility Trust (CSR Trust) of the Commercial Bank commenced a project last year to rehabilitate and reconstruct the stretch between Seethagangula and Thenna, following a request by the Chief Incumbent of the Sri Padasthanaya Venerable Handapangoda Wimalabhidana and the Chief Incumbent of Uda Maluwa Venerable Dampahala Seelananda.

"The Sri Pada pathway through Hatton was in a highly dilapidated condition and we were informed that there were delays in obtaining funds for the reconstruction of this stretch which was in a particularly bad condition. Our CSR Trust responded by undertaking the project to rehabilitate and reconstruct this stretch with the consent of the authorities," Commercial Bank's AGM-Plan Implementation Richard Rodrigo said.

He said that subsequent to the Bank's offer, Government authorities and several other private establishments had come forward to assist in the rehabilitation of different stretches of this pathway. A public meeting was organised recently in Hatton by the authorities to acknowledge the contributions made towards this project by the Commercial Bank and the Government.

Work on the stretch undertaken by the Commercial Bank is progressing fast despite the many challenges of working during the "Off Season" which is also the rainy season. Another difficulty is carrying the building materials manually to the place of work located at high elevations. "Notwithstanding all these, the work is nearing completion and we expect to handover the rehabilitated roadway to the authorities in the near future. This would ease the hardships faced by pilgrims visiting Sri Pada at least to some extent," Rodrigo added.

The CSR Trust of the Commercial Bank empowers communities and individuals to help them become self-reliant and independent, to motivate people, to encourage individuals to think out of the box, to capture and preserve heritage and folk wisdom.

The Trust commenced with a startup capital of Rs 25 million and the Bank contributes up to one per cent of its post tax profits every year towards it.