Rs. 2m to IDPs from Com Bank staff

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon in a humanitarian move recently raised funds from among its staff to assist the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) that are flowing in to the refugee camps in the North.

One of Commercial Bank’s lorries with essential items at an IDP camp

A fund was launched with an initial contribution of Rs.500,000, provided by the Bank's Corporate Social Responsibility Trust and subsequently contributions exceeding Rs.2 million were collected from the Bank's staff, their family members and a few well-wishers. Part of the funds have already been used to purchase the most urgent necessities such as water, non-perishable food items and new clothing. Three lorries loaded with these items were delivered to the main refugee camp at Manik Farm, Cheddikulam on April 29 2009, with the approval of Commissioner General of Essential services.

"Having heard of the sad plight of the IDPs from sources in the government and our own branches in North, we sought the assistance from our branches in the South and the response was overwhelming," a Bank spokesman said.

"We are thankful to the staff at our 171 branches islandwide for their immediate support to this humanitarian mission and the voluntary contributions made to the special account opened for this purpose titled 'Humanitarian Assistance to IDPs.

The Bank is committed to continue this project for at least in the immediate future," the spokesman said. (Ends)