Pan Asia Bank conducts its second ‘Garu Saru’ carnival for pensioners in Kurunegala

Pan Asia Bank Director/CEO Nimal Tillekeratne and Pan Asia Bank Manager Sammana, Ranaviru and Pawning Vindya Rangajeewa

Pan Asia Bank, demonstrating its commitment to the wellbeing of pensioners, recently conducted another ‘Sammana Garu Saru’ carnival in Kurunegala. ‘Sammana Garusaru’ carnival is yet another first of its kind in the industry introduced by Pan Asia Bank which also happened to be the bank that first introduced a special loan scheme dedicated exclusively for Government pensioners.

This event which was held recently at the Kurunegala Welagedara grounds attracted more than 1,000 pensioners and over 300 of their grandchildren from Kurunegala, Mawanella, Kuliyapitiya, Kegalle and Warakapola areas reflecting the growing customer base for the bank’s Sammana product.

The carnival included free medical camps, eye check-ups, food and beverages, fun activities, performances by famous actors and actresses. Prizes were on offer for winners for exciting competitions held during the carnival. All participants were gifted souvenirs to remember this memorable event. In order to ensure maximum comfort of the participants, free transport was arranged by the bank from key locations to reach the carnival grounds.

A talent show was also held to give an opportunity for participants and their family members to showcase their talents. Providing greater value, free promotion opportunities for promotional stalls was available for pensioners who had started their own businesses by obtaining ‘Sammana’ loans. 

Pensioners, their family members including grandchildren thoroughly enjoyed the outing, which afforded an opportunity for them to revel in the love and respect showered on them at the event by Pan Asia Bank. 

The ‘Sammana’ pension loan scheme is a special loan scheme offered to government pensioners and it enables a pensioner to assign his/her pension to a Pan Asia Bank Sammana savings account and obtain a loan of up to Rs. 4 million, without guarantors. Thus far this unique product offering has empowered over 43,000 pensioners giving them new hope and dignity. 

Moreover the bank recently took steps recently to increase the maximum age limit to grant a ‘Sammana’ loan, to 75 years of age which greatly expand its appeal to the pensioner community. Pan Asia Bank ‘Sammana’ also enables all account holders to obtain an advance on their pension any day of the month even from an ATM.

In fact ‘Sammana’ is a perfect testament to the bank’s commitment to offer innovative financial products to cater to real requirements of the society while contributing positively towards the country’s economic development. 

The Chief Guest at the ‘Sammana Garu Saru’ carnival was Pan Asia Bank CEO Nimal Tillekeratne along with several other distinguished guests, namely, DIG Buddhika Siriwardana, Inspector of Police Kurunegala Kapila Adhikari, Pan Asia Bank Senior DGM Naleen Edirisinghe and senior management personnel from Pan Asia Bank, Ceylinco Life and Vision Care Opticals. 

The event was ably organised by the Pan Asia Bank Kurunegala, Mawanella, Kuliyapitiya, Kegalle and Warakapola branches under the guidance of Pan Asia Bank Manager Ranaviru, Sammana and Pawning Vindya Rangajeewa.

Senior citizens who participated at the event enjoying the program