Sampath Bank renovates Navatkuli railway station

Sampath Bank PLC contributed towards the restoration of the Navatkuli railway station, a key station on the Yal Devi route connecting Jaffna and Colombo, which resumed services after 24 years.

The station was opened by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He also performed the first transaction at the Sampath ATM at the station.

Sampath Bank took up this CSR initiative under the name 'Emblem of Hope', to improve the socio-economic conditions in the northern region.

The restoration of the Navatkuli railway station was a reiteration of the bank's commitment to deliver sustainable solutions to improve the lives of all citizens. This initiative was a distinctive part of the Uthuru Mithuru program, launched by the Government in March 2009 to re-build the lives of civilians which was shattered during the nearly three decades of terrorism.

With over 100,000 residents in the immediate vicinity of the Navatkuli railway station, Sampath Bank hopes that the 'Emblem of Hope' will be a social investment that contributes towards the empowerment of all stakeholders in the Northern Province.

Sampath Bank, Deputy General Manager, Marketing and Business Development, Tharaka Ranwala said, "Terrorism resulted in a ravaged North and the East, with most of the railway stations destroyed.

Sampath Bank has through its numerous CSR initiatives such as the 'Emblem of Hope', willingly embraced the national priority of sustainable development of infrastructure in the Jaffna region."

"This initiative goes beyond a mere CSR project, as Sampath Bank genuinely aims at touching the hearts of the local community and contribute towards improving their lives. The Bank hopes that this commitment will foster the development of a lasting relationship with the people," he said.