Commercial Bank mounts emergency relief operations in flood-hit areas

Branches of the Commercial Bank of Ceylon in several areas scrambled to provide assistance to people affected by floods resulting from the current spell of inclement weather over Sri Lanka.

Acting on the instructions of the Commercial Bank CSR Trust, the bank’s branches in Chilaw, Ambalantota, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura and Nikaweratiya, assessed needs of people in their respective areas and provided assistance, the bank said. Thousands of families in these areas were benefitted by this quick response by the Bank in their hour of need.

Meanwhile, Commercial Bank branches in Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Batticaloa, and Kaduruwela are in the process of ascertaining requirements from the respective Divisional Secretariats to plan a response.

In Chilaw, the Commercial Bank branch distributed dry rations and bottled water to the vast number of people displaced due to floods. The bank’s Ambalantota branch provided basic necessities, exercise books and school uniforms to flood victims, while in Kurunegala, Commercial Bank in consultation with the Divisional Secretariat distributed bed linen and clothing.

In Anuradhapura and Nikaweratiya, the principal needs of food, clothing, sanitary items, bottled water and bed linen were supplied by the bank’s branches in those areas.

“The bank decided to launch a disaster relief program immediately considering the current emergency situation in the country,” said Ravi Dias – Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Bank. “Accordingly, the branches located in the most affected areas were advised to liaise with the local authorities and obtain information with a view to providing relief for flood victims. The CSR Trust will reimburse the cost borne by the relevant branches.”

Commercial Bank’s CSR Trust was established in 2004 and is responsible for identifying, prioritising, planning and guiding the community projects undertaken by the bank. Commercial Bank contributes up to 1% of its post tax profit annually towards the Trust’s projects.