ComBank empowers rural students

The presentation of certificates to the first batch of students who completed the inaugural English language program launched last year by the Commercial Bank of Ceylon as a community initiative, took place recently at the Kiriella Madya Maha Vidyalaya, Ratnapura.

On left: A student receives his certificate from Commercial Bank Managing Director and CEO Ravi Dias. School Principal Ranjith Liyanarachchi looks on. On right: Students at the presentation ceremony.

Two hundred and sixty students were presented certificates by Managing Director and CEO Ravi Dias, other dignitaries of the Bank and Principal Ranjith Liyanarachchi.

The four-month course conducted on behalf of the Bank, by Life English Academy (LEA), a English language training institution in Sri Lanka, will be conducted at schools across the country under a national community initiative by Commercial Bank to take English language education to children in rural areas.

The structured English education courses conducted under this program focus on spoken English and basic writing skills as required for personal development. Each student receives up to 32 hours of contact with the trainers of Life English Academy.

The Commercial Bank CSR Trust focuses on education to empower the younger generation and create a better future for the country. The main activity under this initiative is to donate IT laboratories to schools around the country. The Bank has donated 82 IT labs to-date.

Other CSR initiatives of the Bank include the presentation of scholarships and laptops to undergraduates, preservation of cultural heritage, donation of health equipment to hospitals and regional projects.