KSMT comes to the aid of bankers

Ishara Jayawardane - Pictures by Saman Sri Wedage

Executive Director of Institute of Policy studies of Sri Lanka,Dr. Saman Kelegama addressing the gathering	Chairman KSMT and CEO, MAS intimates and secretary of APB,Nathan Sivagananathan

(From left) Chairman KSMT and CEO, MAS intimates and secretary of APB,Nathan Sivagananathan, President of the APB, Managing Director of Sampath Bank, Aravinda Perera, Executive Director of Institute of Policy studies of Sri Lanka,Dr. Saman Kelegama, Former Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka,Deshamanya A S Jayawardena

The K Sivagananathan Memorial Trust (KSMT) and the Association of Professional Bankers of Sri Lanka (APB) held its 11th Annual K Sivagananathan Memorial Oration and Awards Ceremony last week in commemoration of the Late K Sivagananathan an innovative banker.

During his day he contributed to the advancement of the Banking Sector in Sri Lanka.

"He was a legend in Sri Lanka's banking industry and served in many prestigious committees on a variety of subjects relating to financial services both as a Chairman and as well as a member of committees. He was also looking out for new initiatives to develop the banking industry. He was very keen on banking education. There are so many students, at the helm of the banking industry today who will testify to this," said APB President Aravinda Perera.

K Sivagananathan was a pillar of the APB, founder member and member of the inaugural council of the APB. "He was a dynamic personality and go getter. He also served as President of the APB during the year 1996- 1996. I was unfortunate not to have worked with him, not to have learnt under him and not to have served under him. But I have met people who have worked with him, people who speak very highly about him. I am expressing the sentiments of these senior bankers who are also members of the APB.

Today's function is where the memorial trust which was set up by the family join hands with the APB, not only to remember him but also to give scholarships for banking students who have got the highest marks in each subject at the banking diploma conducted by IBSL,"he further added.

This year 62 students who have obtained the highest marks in all three languages in the Diploma in Banking and Finance examination in March and September 2012 conducted by the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka will be awarded cash prizes and certificates.

KSMT is a non profit organisation mainly dedicated to providing assistance to financially disadvantaged students pursuing higher studies in the field of banking and finance.

KSMT has distributed over 530 cash prizes and certificates since 2002 and has sponsored needy students to do the entire banking examination.