Seylan Bank gifts fully-equipped ICU to Colombo East Base Hospital

• Further strengthening the national effort against COVID-19

Seylan Bank, the Bank with a Heart, gifted a fully-equipped Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to the Colombo East Base Hospital in Mulleriyawa, on 21 May to support the national effort against COVID-19. The new ICU equipped with a special infection control technology system will be utilised for the treatment of patients detected with COVID-19.

The official handover event at the hospital was graced by Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi, National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Head Army Commander General Shavendra Silva, Seylan Bank Chief Operating Officer Ramesh Jayasekara, officials from the Colombo East Base Hospital and representatives of Seylan Bank. The event was held in strict accordance with health guidelines.

When Sri Lanka was hit by the first wave of COVID-19 in March 2020, the Colombo East Base hospital was transformed to act as a dedicated facility for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, as per the Government’s direction. Having identified the hospital’s requirement for a fully equipped, functional intensive care unit for treating patients in serious condition, Seylan Bank stepped forward to build a state-of-the-art ICU ward for the hospital. The foundation stone for the facility was laid last year, and today the bank was able to gift a well-equipped ICU to the hospital, further strengthening the national efforts in combating COVID-19 at a crucial time.

“The COVID pandemic has at present become the most pressing problem for not only all Sri Lankans but has become global public enemy number 1. Our decision to build an Intensive Care Unit with a special infection control technology system at the Colombo East Base Hospital was taken very early at the onset of this pandemic to support the National Health Services as the fulfilment of social responsibility by Seylan Bank and its staff. 

“While I am very grateful and proud of the direct involvement of our very own staff in the completion of this project, my special thanks also go out to the Army Commander General Shavendra Silva and the Sri Lanka Army for stepping forward to render their technical assistance and provide the labour necessary to complete the project amidst all their other undertakings in the fight against this pandemic. 

“Special thanks to our own Premises and Maintenance Department as well as Director of Colombo East Base Hospital Dr. Priyantha Karunaratne, Dr. Kasun Vithana and the members of the Planning unit, Dr. Manouri Samaranayake, Dr. Nilushi De Silva and Dr. Priyanthi Alagiyavanna who were involved in this project right throughout. It is the fervent wish of all of us at Seylan Bank that we come together as one nation and do what is necessary to help the country rid itself of this danger as early as possible,” said Seylan Bank Director/Chief Executive Officer Kapila Ariyaratne.  The state-of-the-art ICU facility is a five-bed unit equipped with a special isolation space for those with immune deficiencies. The unit also homes medical gas and oxygen supplies at six points across the unit inclusive of service space, a nursing station and a dedicated entrance with a washing area that is built for easier access of differently-abled patients. The new ICU is built in an open space offering enough distance to manage COVID-19 patients and has all the necessary precautionary measures to avoid unnecessary exposure.

The unit will go a long way towards strengthening the health infrastructure in the country at a time the third wave of the pandemic is disrupting containment efforts. It is a welcome addition to the system and will make a tangible difference in the quality of care received by patients admitted to the hospital with COVID-related complications. 

Seylan Bank operates with a vision to offer the ultimate banking experience to its valued customers through cutting-edge technology, innovative products, and best-in-class services. The Bank has a growing clientele of SMEs, Retail and Corporate Customers, and has expanded its footprint with 172 branches, 70 Cash Deposit Machines, 76 Cheque Deposit Machines, and an ATM network of 216 units across the country. Seylan Bank has been endorsed as a financially stable organisation with performance excellence across the board by Fitch Ratings, with the bank’s national long-term rating revised to ‘A’ (lka). 

The bank was ranked second among public listed companies for transparency in corporate reporting by Transparency Global and is now part of the S&P Dow Jones SL 20 Index. These achievements are a testament to Seylan Bank’s financial stability and unwavering dedication to ensuring excellence across all aspects.