Hatton National Bank (HNB) celebrated the 27th anniversary of its flagship microfinance scheme, Gami Pubuduwa (Village Awakening) at the annual Field Officers’ Conference which included a series of educational and personal development events and concluded with an awards ceremony to honour its field force officers for their contribution in 2014 and 2015.
HNB, Managing Director and CEO Jonathan Alles and the senior management were also present. Launched in 1989 to extend financial services to self-employment projects and other micro enterprises in rural areas, Gami Pubuduwa has become one of the most successful micro-finance programs implemented by a commercial bank in Sri Lanka. CEO/Managing Director Jonathan Alles said, “Gami Pubuduwa field officers play a central role by directly engaging with the rural community to obtain insight into the lifestyle and financial and economic needs of the community.
Their efforts to assist small and medium entrepreneurs as well as the Bank are commendable.”
The field officers identify the strengths of the rural community and make suitable financial proposals to promote successful micro entrepreneurs. A scholarship was offered to the Best Performing Microfinance Officer of the Year in commemoration of the late J. Chrisantha R. Cooray, a former Chairman of HNB,
Romesh Vandort of HNB Uddappuwa branch and Nalin Paranawithana of HNB Homagama branch, received the awards for the 2014 and 2015 respectively.