“Proud to have NSB under my Ministry”: Kabir Hashim

Minister of Public Enterprises Development Kabir Hashim yesterday expressing his gratitude for the valuable support of National Savings Bank (NSB) to the nation over many years, emphasised the bank was among best profit-making public enterprises which boost the economic growth in the country.

Participating as the Chief Guest at the ceremony of distributing 500 computers among the students in Kegalle District, organised by NSB as a part of its program series to commemorate its 44th anniversary at Kegalle Urban Council, the Minister said that the bank had extended unparalleled service to the people even in times that the country faced financial crises and monetary constraints.

“Parallel to their effort of enhancing people with monetary facilities the bank has extended unparalleled social support to the people. NSB is among profit-making enterprise under the purview of Ministry of Public Enterprises and Development,” the Minister said.

He further mentioned that SriLankan Airline’s cumulative financial loss was reported at $ 933 million in 2015 when the current Government was coming to power.

“It could have built either 300 new schools or 65 best quality hospitals islandwide by the allocated expenditure to rebuild Sri Lankan Airlines. We need profit-making enterprises such as NSB. Our Government has a good aim and a well-planned economic policy,” the Minister added. 

Extending his gratitude to the management and the officials of the NSB for their social support to the Kegalle people, the Minister further mentioned that the future generation of Kegalle District should prepare to tackle the career opportunities in the fast-growing IT sector instead of the agricultural sector as the district highly depends on natural rubber products which are currently facing a price decline in the market.

 “We should prepare students to tackle future career opportunities in the fast-growing IT sector in order to eradicate unemployment in Kegalle District,” the Minister emphasised.

The students who recorded outstanding performances at their academic activities and extra curriculum activities received computers to enhance their skills and knowledge in IT education parallel to the classroom activities.

According to the data by the Department of Census and Statistics annual labor force survey 2014, the highest unemployment rate is reported from the Kegalle District at 7.8%. Comprising nine electorates Kegalle District is famous for natural rubber and other agricultural products.

Speaking at the event the NSB Chairman Aswin De Silva said that especially the students of the Kegalle District had been selected for the purpose due to the district reporting the highest unemployment rate in the country.

He said that the students of the area should go ahead with much knowledge in the fast-growing IT sector to tackle future career opportunities in the market.

The Chairman further stated that the bank would further extend its support to the people through carrying out such social work in order to create a skillful labor force in the country. The event was organised in collaboration with Softlogic Holdings PLC, the technical sponsor of the program.

The event was attended by UNP heads of Kegalle District, NSB officials, principals, teachers, students and other distinguished guests.