NSB Annual Report among the best in the world

The National Savings Bank of Sri Lanka (NSB) Annual Report for 2008 won a grand award in addition to three Gold awards and a Bronze award at the recent International ARC Awards held in New York.

NSB put Sri Lanka on the global corporate map at the gala awards presentation attended by top executives of some of the foremost companies in the world including the Fortune 500s and the FTSE 100s.

ARC Awards are popularly referred to as the Oscars of Annual Reports. They are the most sought after awards for annual reports. Held for the 23rd year, this year ARC attracted 1,800 entries from around the world.

Only the top 25 percent of the highest scoring annual reports become eligible for any award. Gold and Silver Awards are not automatic in every category unless the contenders meet the required standard. The best of the Gold Awards are nominated for Grand Awards which represent the best-of-the-best from around the world.

NSB's General Manager/CEO Sunil Perera and Additional General Manager Hennayake Bandara received the awards on behalf of the Bank. Smart Media - The Annual Report Company, Chairman Dr. Vijith Kannangara was also present. Master of Ceremonies Charles Payne of FOX Business Network presented the top awards. In his keynote address, Payne said that more than any other time in history, today companies need to make themselves better understood. And the annual report remains the prime tool for doing so in a timely, consistent, transparent and credible manner.

ARC Awards has been established to honour outstanding annual reports. The panel of judges consists of distinguished personalities from the communications and financial analysis industries mainly from North America, Continental Europe and UK.

NSB's Additional General Manager Hennayake Bandara said "It is not possible to develop an annual report to such a high international standard in a single year. We have been working on improving the overall standard of the annual report over the years.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka's competition for the Best Annual Report was our starting point and gave our report a very good foundation".