National Savings Bank felicitates women

A splendid and meaningful evening which highlighted women’s role in today’s world, the challenges and difficulties faced by women and empowerment of women organised by National Savings Bank (NSB) was held at Waters Edge, Battaramulla on 8 March, to mark International Women’s Day.

This event was held under this year’s theme of the International Women’s Day, declared by the United Nations, ‘Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world’ and former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa attended the occasion as Chief Guest. 

Minister of Health Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi, secretaries to the ministries, senior administrative officers, invited chairmen, National Savings Bank Chairperson Keasila Jayawardena, Board of Directors, General Manager/CEO and the senior management of the bank, the famous screenplay writer and film director Jayantha Chandrasiri and 16 ladies who have contributed to the national course of protecting the people of this country from the spread of COVID-19 were also present at the occasion. 

The bank took all possible measures to follow the recommendations of COVID-19 disease control when organising this felicitation, which comprised cultural events as well reflecting the bank’s identity and the courage of Sri Lankan women.   

Jayawardena addressing the gathering, observed that in a backdrop where women face numerous difficulties on a daily basis the representation of women in the political sector both at home and abroad is not satisfactory. However, as a women herself, she said both men and women had supported her lavishly in spearheading National Savings Bank as its Chairperson. 

Resultantly, the year 2020, during which the country is under the effects of COVID-19 turned out to be the year in which the bank has recorded the highest ever profitability in its history. She further stated that she is truly proud of the staff of NSB, who have worked tirelessly to maintain the operations of the bank and the branch network without any interruption during the difficult times.   

General Manager/CEO of the bank Ajith Peiris stated that the majority of NSB clientele comprised women and he thanked all women customers for contributing to increase the deposit mobilisation of the bank as well as the country through their habits of saving and thrift.   

Chandrasiri delivering the guest lecture elaborated the fact that there was a physical and spiritual bond between men and women and therefore women were always equal to men, with evidence from history and humanities. 

Wanniarachchi recollected how she, as a woman and the Minister of Health of the country, had worked relentlessly with doctors, nurses, administrative and private staff during the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.   

Sixteen women who have rendered a tremendous service during the pandemic, without limiting their duty to circulars, directions or office rooms to cure the country from the disease were felicitated at the occasion.       

Accordingly, National Savings Bank felicitated Shiranthi Rajapakse for continuous support and cooperation extended to the leadership of the country to assure a better life for the people.    

Further, Wanniarachchi, who steered the health sector during the pandemic, was offered felicitation while the service of Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control Sudarshani Fernandopulle was also appreciated.

Jayawardena, the NSB Chairperson during the year in which the bank recorded its highest-ever profitability, Damitha Rathnayake, Additional Director General of Treasury Division of the Ministry of Finance, and Vivet Fernando, the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, received felicitations representing the finance sector.   

Roshanie Dissanayake, Municipal Commissioner of Colombo Municipal Council was offered felicitations representing the Public Administration and Public Service Sector and Dr. Dinuka Guruge, Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health, Epidemiology and Statistics Unit of the Colombo Municipal Council received felicitations representing the Health Services Sector.     

Consultant Microbiologist Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Sureni Udugama of Ward No 03 Punkuduthivu Jaffna Sri Lanka Army, Air Commodore Dr. Niluka Abeysekera of Ward No 03 Punkuduthivu Jaffna Sri Lanka Airforce and Lieutenant Dr. Hemali Gunawardena of Ward No 03 Punkuduthivu Jaffna Sri Lanka Navy received felicitations representing three forces.   

Jenali Jansz and Amali Hettiarachchi of SriLankan Airlines, who volunteered to join the cabin crew of the mercy flight to Wuhan to bring Sri Lankan students back to the country also received felicitations at the event.

Radeeja Jayani, Deepani Samarasinghe, the Chairman of APS Knitters Ltd., and Jamunadevi Ponnampalam, the Secretary to the Pungudutivu Food Manufacturers Society and the President of the Jaffna Palmyrah Handicrafts Guarantee Ltd., were felicitated by the bank for maintaining their business operations while successfully encountering numerous challenges occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.