The Bank of Ceylon (BOC) completed the fourth BOC Gammana program in Meegasthenna village in Dehiowita area in the Sabaragamuwa Province recently.
The program was implemented by the Consumer and Development Banking Division and the initiative is targeted at enhancing financial literacy and livelihoods of the rural population residing in underprivileged rural outskirts of the country.
BOC has structured a range of programs to reach these target groups and a number of programs have already been implemented successfully. As a leading state-owned bank, BOC strongly believes that being somewhat of an assistance to uplifting of living conditions of the rural population as a corporate social responsibility and accordingly, the Bank launched ‘BOC Gammana’ program as a landmark rural development initiative.
Sabaragamuwa Provincial Deputy Chief Secretary Parakrama Piyasna, BOC Chairman Ronald C. Perera, General Manager Russel Fonseka, Deputy General Manger Bracnch Operations Priyal De Silva, bank officials and residents were present.
In conjunction with the BOC Gammana program, BOC developed communal facilities and infrastructure of Meegasthenna village belonging to Yatiyanthota and Dehiowita Divisional Secretariats including repairing of a broken road, rehabilitation of a damaged dam that was damaged by landslides, renovation of the preschool and donating sport equipment and renovation of the Buddhist monastery in the area. Simultaneously, several key programs such as enabling access to micro financing facilities through BOC Mithuru Groups and distribution of plants for home gardens were also underway.
With the support of the bank, a fund has also been established to raise required funds for the proposed building for the Meegasthenna college consisting of two classrooms for Advanced Level students.
Moreover, the rural library along with BOC Ran Keklu Sansadya was opened on the same day and in support of the school handball team new jerseys were handed over. A blood donation campaign was also organized along with these activities during these days.
One of the main aims of BOC Gammana program is to enhance financial literacy among the rural population, while expanding and popularizing digital banking services even to outskirts of cities.