HNB Singithi Lama Scholarship winners best in country

Hatton National Bank, for the first time, rewarded children who excelled at the Year Five Scholarship examination, conducted by the Department of Examinations, with scholarships at a special felicitation ceremony held at HNB Towers in Colombo recently.

Significantly, the three students obtaining the highest marks in the island are Singithi Lama Account holders. Students totalling 65 who sat for and were ranked within the top 10 in their respective districts at the scholarship exams are also Singithi Lama Account holders, a spokesperson for the bank said.

Ranked first in the island was Kisara Sandaluka Koditthuwaku and R. M. A. Upeksha Maduwanthi, while W. M. S. A. Bandara Wickramasinghe obtained the second highest marks. The top achievers received a cash prize of Rs. 300,000 each and the second best achiever received a cash prize of Rs. 100,000. In addition, 62 winners who ranked highest in their respective districts were awarded Rs. 20,000 each.

As a part of rewarding children and encouraging youth to ‘Keep Learning and Keep Saving’, HNB’s Singithi Lama Account is designed specifically for children ranging from newborn infants to 12 years.

Among the many features and benefits of this unique account are a range of gifts based on maintained account balance, loans for purchase of computers, scholarships up to a value of Rs. 7 million and an opportunity to enter the Pathum Vimana Draw. In addition, children enjoy an added 1 per cent interest above the general savings rate.

Under the umbrella of the scholarship scheme, HNB also conducted a special educational programme designed specifically for students that sat for the Year Five Scholarship Examination titled “Singithi Lama Pahe Denuma Weduma” was broadcast over radio on Lakhada and on TV via ITN.At the forefront of promoting programmes in the sphere of education, HNB continues to champion a number of initiatives designed to boost skills and further educational pursuits among children across the island through its homegrown Nana Pubuduwa initiative.

Since 2005 the bank’s many CSR initiatives include establishing libraries in schools, particularly those in disadvantaged, rural areas, which now number 199, promoting IT-based learning environments through provision of computers to selected schools and renovation of existing infrastructure as well as donation of books, furniture and equipment.