Commercial Bank mounts emergency relief operations in flood-hit
areas
Branches of the Commercial Bank of Ceylon in several areas scrambled
to provide assistance to people affected by floods resulting from the
current spell of inclement weather over Sri Lanka.
Commercial Bank officials hand over relief items to the
Divisional Secretary – Nikaweratiya P Susantha Jayathilake
(top) and a flood victim in Anuradhapura (below) |
Acting on the instructions of the Commercial Bank CSR Trust, the
Bank's branches in Chilaw, Ambalantota, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura and
Nikaweratiya, assessed needs of people in their respective areas and
provided assistance, the Bank said.
Thousands of families in these areas were benefitted by this quick
response by the Bank in their hour of need.
Meanwhile, Commercial Bank branches in Matale, Nuwara Eliya,
Batticaloa, and Kaduruwela are in the process of ascertaining
requirements from the respective Divisional Secretariats to plan a
response.
In Chilaw, the Commercial Bank branch distributed dry rations and
bottled water to the vast number of people displaced due to floods.
The Bank's Ambalantota branch provided basic necessities, exercise
books and school uniforms to flood victims, while in Kurunegala, the
Commercial Bank in consultation with the Divisional Secretariat
distributed bed linen and clothing.
In Anuradhapura and Nikaweratiya, the principal needs of food,
clothing, sanitary items, bottled water and bed linen were supplied by
the Bank's branches in those areas.
The Bank decided to launch a disaster relief programme immediately
considering the current emergency situation in the country," said Ravi
Dias - Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Bank.
"Accordingly, the branches located in the most affected areas were
advised to liaise with the local authorities and obtain information with
a view to providing relief for flood victims.
The CSR Trust will reimburse the cost borne by the relevant
branches."
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