Museum donated by Commercial Bank opened at Kataragama Kirivehera

A museum building constructed by the Commercial Bank of Ceylon in the precincts of the historic Kataragama Kirivehera was ceremonially declared open recently by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The museum will house ancient artefacts that have been found at excavations on the temple lands over many years for the benefit of devotees and tourists who visit the sacred site.

In recognition of the importance of this project, the President also unveiled a commemorative plaque at the site in November 2011, before construction of the building commenced.

The opening of the museum on 31 December 2012 was also graced by First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Chief Prelate of the Temple Ven. Aluthwewa Soratha Nayaka Thero, Speaker of Parliament Chamal Rajapaksa, Chief Minister of Uva Province Shashindra Rajapaksa, Chairman of the Bank’s CSR Trust Lakshman Hulugalle, Commercial Bank’s Managing Director/CEO Ravi Dias, members of the senior corporate management of Commercial Bank, and many devotees.

The 2,160 square foot, split-level, single-storey building will also accommodate a bookshop. The donation of the building was made in response to a request to the bank by Ven. Aluthwewa Soratha Nayaka Thero, the Viharadhipathi of the Kataragama Kirivehera.

“The Commercial Bank CSR Trust was pleased to support this project, which will help preserve important artefacts and documents for posterity,” said Ravi Dias, the Bank’s MD/CEO.  

Considered one of the 16 most sacred Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka, the Kirivehera is believed to have been built in the 3rd century BC by King Mahasena. The majestic stupa has a circumference of 280 feet and rises to 95 feet. The Buddha is believed to have visited the site on his third visit to Sri Lanka.

The Commercial Bank’s CSR initiatives are prioritised, planned and executed under the guidance of the bank’s CSR Trust which was established in 2004. The bank contributes up to 1% of its post tax profit annually towards the Trust’s projects.

Among the principal activities supported by the Commercial Bank CSR Trust are the donation of IT education facilities to rural schools, the grant of annual scholarships and laptops to undergraduates, supporting health projects around the country and an English education program that will soon be expanded to many areas of the country. Commercial Bank is the largest private bank in Sri Lanka, and operates a network of 227 computer-linked branches and service points and an ATM network of more than 555 terminals. The bank has the distinction of being the only Sri Lankan bank to be listed among the Top 1,000 Banks of the World two years consecutively.

Commercial Bank has also been adjudged ‘Best Bank in Sri Lanka’ for 14 consecutive years by ‘Global Finance’ Magazine and has won multiple awards as the country’s best bank from ‘The Banker,’ ‘FinanceAsia,’ ‘Euromoney’ and ‘Trade Finance’ magazines.