Thursday, 17 October 2013 00:01
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Sampath Bank, the most caring corporate citizen in the country’s banking and financial sector, held the first-ever one-day workshop for its Minor Savings Account Holders to mark the Universal Children’s Day recently.
The program on the theme “Honda honda lamayin api wage” was conducted by the popular “Ranwala Balakaya”, Sahan Ranwala’s dancing group.
This inaugural program held at the Western Province Aesthetic Resort, from, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. was opened for 150 Sampath Pubudu and Sapiri Childrens’ Account holders in the Western Province between the ages 6-10 years and their parents.
The objectives of the program were to emphasise the importance of nationalism, strengthen the bond between the parent and the child, to educate the children about Sri Lanka and its roots, history, local music and dancing, national language , the culture, developing the personality of the child, inculcating good habits and values, teaching social skills, etc. The Ranwala Balakaya used real life children’s short stories, folk music and dancing to demonstrate the key themes.
Welcoming those present, Sampath Bank Deputy General Manager Marketing and Business Development Tharaka Ranwala said that this was the first ever free workshop of this nature conducted for both the parent and the child by a bank in this country. “The parents are the beacon of the child’s future and here they can see the performances and the hidden abilities and talents of their children unleashing on stage guided by the ‘Ranwala Balakaya’,” he said.
One parent from Moratuwa said that she and her child really valued the program. “I consider this a privilege to experience Ranwala Balakaya’s performance and learn about “apekama”, our indigenous values.” She added that she hoped the bank will continue this every year.
Another parent from Colombo Mrs. Faiz said she was happy about getting the children involved and seeing them perform on stage and their talents. “I wish that Sampath Bank could extend such programs to all other account and non-account holders as well.”
Sampath Pubudu and Sapiri Account Holders as well as their parents could undoubtedly gain a meaningful value to their lives from the one day workshop organised by Sampath Bank to mark the Universal Children’s day this year.
