Sampath Bank's Environment Day programme ends on high note

To mark "Green Day" (Environment Day) that falls on May 20, the Sampath Bank Nature Protection Club (SBNPC), along with the Sampath Bank CSR, hosted this year's annual event on May 27, featuring the signing of an important Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and an agreement in support of protection of the environment.

The event that was held at the Sampath Bank Auditorium, witnessed the signing of the MoU with the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL) and an agreement with "The Carbon Consulting Company" and handing over a Letter of Consent by the Department of Forests & Wildlife to the Bank.

Prof. Sarath Kotagama and Sampath Bank Managing Director Aravinda Perera exchanging the MoU

The MoU signed with FOGSL is for "Sampath NaT SRI - Sampath National Threatened Species Research Initiative" project, initiated to conserve the endangered Blue-Eared King Fisher. Prof. Sarath Kotagama, Senior Treasurer of FOGSL and the Professor of Environment Science, University of Colombo, had signed the MOU on behalf of the FOGSL.

The Department of Forests & Wildlife has consented to provide a plot of land in Kande Ela in Nuwara Eliya to the extent of 4.93 hectare to the Bank for the reforestation project. The Bank is expected to plant and maintain endemic plants on this land.

The screening of videos on the Blue-Eared King Fisher, Carbon Foot Print Calculation, "Energy saving tips" by presenters were noteworthy items of the programme agenda. Sampath Bank Managing Director Aravinda Perera, highlighting the Bank's commitment for environment protection and biodiversity conservation, said their environmental program mes and initiatives were implemented both within the organization and across the country.

The Bank has also announced of a competition among the staff to select the best eco team under three different catogories.

At Bank level, there would be 'Location branding' pertaining to the "Sampath NaT SRI" project, demonstration of the Green Pledge at all Branches / Departments and series of sessions on "Energy Saving tips" for team Sampath in collaboration with the Sustainable Energy Authority.

The United Nations first started World Environment Day in 1972, to build global awareness of the environment and to support individual and community projects.

The theme for this year's World Environment Day that falls on June 5, is "Think Eat Save"- a campaign aimed at stopping food waste and food loss.

Sampath Bank's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), is based on the 5E model, shifting from Voluntary CSR to Obligatory CSR. The Bank has introduced various mechanisms to enhance employee engagement, aligning all CSR initiatives with core business objectives and core competencies.

Here the bank spreads out a bank level CSR projects in rural and semi urban sectors and focuses on small and medium scale projects to share the benefit with greater number of beneficiaries. This is being done through developing partnerships, strategic agreements and industry collaboration with respective bodies.