The Bank of Ceylon (BOC) set up its fifth “BOC Gammana” in Kuruketiyawa village in Nawagathegama in the North Western Province recently.
The bank has successfully carried out four other projects in Meegasthenna, Mulativu, Mandaramnuwara and in Thissa-amuna villages.
The program was implemented by the Consumer and Development Banking Division and the initiative is targeted at enhancing financial literacy and livelihood of the rural population residing in underprivileged rural outskirts of the country.
BOC has structured a range of programs to reach these target groups believing it can be somewhat an assistance to improve the living conditions of the rural population. As a part of its corporate social responsibility “BOC Gammana” can be named as a landmark rural development initiative that is sustainable and effective.
The launch of fifth BOC Gammana program was held with the participation of BOC’s Chairman Ronald C. Perera, the General Manager Russel Fonseka, Puttalam District Secretary H.M.S.P Herath, Divisional Secretary Nawagaththegama Mrs. K.D.A Kerawgoda, DGM Branch Operations Priyal De Silva, DGM Development Banking, Branch Credit Operations Range 2, Mrs. Rochelle Fernando, AGM Development Banking, Samantha Wimalasiri, AGM North Western Province, Kushan Delgoda and bank officials.
The project cordination was carried out through the manager and the staff of BOC’s Anamaduwa branch with the Area Manager of the Provincial Office. The bank developed communal facilities and infrastructure of the village, with special focus on a purified drinking water project.
The need for purified water for the village has been a long delayed necessity that they consider having a glass of purified safe drinking water as a gift worthy of celebration.
Apart from the water purifying project the bank also focused on renovating the village temple and donating required benches and desks for the Dhamma school, renovating the maternity and children clinic, opening a Ran Kekulu Sansada in the school Ihala Kuruketiyawa village to encourage thrift among children and renovate school library, computer lab equipped with computers, cupboards and chairs.
Focusing on the long term sustainability, several strategic programs such as BOC Mithuru Groups were also formed enabling the community the access to micro financing facilities. The village was given a facelift with new name boards for its streets. All these work were initiated by the bank with the requests received from the villagers and were empowered to carry out with the support of the village community. The BOC ‘Gammana program’ also aims to gradually enhance financial literacy among the rural population, while expanding and popularising digital banking services among them.