Welcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year with National Savings Bank

• Following is a message from National Savings Bank General Manager/CEO Shashi Kandambi to mark the Sinhala-Tamil New Year:

The Sinhala and Hindu New Year, one of the most awaited festivals of the nation, is around the corner, filling the hearts of the people with novelty and joy. The National Savings Bank is delighted to implement a special program in commemoration of this cherished cultural grandeur, which fosters a spirit of togetherness and hope for the year ahead. 

Since, ensuring the well-being of our customers as well as securing the values of our culture is our prime objective, we have planned to offer the Ayurvedic Litha, which includes the details of the auspicious times related to the New Year rituals, to our customers. It is available at our branches and post/sub post offices from 7 April, in both Sinhala and Tamil mediums. We believe that the Litha will be an excellent guide to perform the New Year rituals on time and maintain one’s physical and mental health, as it contains valuable instructions issued by the  Ayurvedic Department on health and nutrition related matters.   It is our responsibility to make the younger generations aware of our cultural roots, even amidst the challenges triggered by the modern world. Therefore, we wish to emphasise the importance of passing these unique values, including the customs and rituals related to the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, to the younger generations through this initiative. These customs can be identified as a fundamental part of our invaluable cultural heritage, which reflects our identity, virtues, and vision of life. Understanding the importance of these customs and values by the younger generations would ensure the endurance of our socio-cultural environment and thereby, they will be able to gain a secured sense of their identity. So, we trust that the National Savings Bank could contribute well to the worthy course of preserving our cultural values.   

As an auspicious time has been declared for tree planting as well, in support of a greener future for the country, we are ready to offer a plant with agricultural economic value to the customers. The customers can get these plants on 16 April, by visiting one of our 262 branches, island wide. We have been successfully implementing this plant distribution program, since 2019, as an effort to contribute towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), declared by the United Nations. 

This program enables the bank to contribute towards protecting the environment while encouraging our customers too to be a part of this worthy course. Further, it is intended to create awareness among the customers on the importance of environmental conservation through ‘NSB Agroforestry Project’, initiated by the Bank, in 2017.     

The first transaction of the New Year, known as “Avurudu Ganudenu” is also an important ritual performed during the festive season. It symbolises prosperity and good luck during the New Year and helps to foster bonds and harmony among family and friends. As per our cultural belief and practice, new chapters should begin at an auspicious time, and it will bring blessings and courage to accomplish success.   

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is a delightful occasion that brings relatives and friends together. The harmony, love and affection built and renewed during this season strengthens our social bonds and connections. The entire country performing many important tasks at the same time is truly exceptional and no such integrated and unified celebration can be seen in any other country. So, it mirrors the uniqueness and harmony of our culture.  

Also, we, as a leading financial institution in the country, firmly believe that protecting the environment is one of our corporate responsibilities. The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is closely connected with nature. Protection and preservation of that natural environment, consisting of flora and fauna, natural waterways and many other resources, is an obligation, that all of us are equally held accountable. As such, National Savings Bank, has persistently committed to play its role in ensuring a greener future for the country.          

The values encompassing the Sinhala and Tamil New Year correspond well with the concepts of saving and thrift, the key founding principles of the National Savings Bank. Having correctly understood that building a strong and prosperous foundation for the future generations is our responsibility, the National Savings Bank will always prioritise the fulfilment of our duty towards the future of the country.       

National Savings Bank invites all people, especially our customers, to visit any branch of the Bank to perform the ritual of New Year transactions, on 16 April.

We wish you all and your loved ones a prosperous, joyous, and peaceful New Year, filled with abundance of savings!