Sampath Bank opens in Jaffna recruits youth

Sampath Bank will open its Jaffna branch on August 24 and the new recruits from Jaffna area are already undergoing an orientation program which has been tailor - made for them. CEO of Sampath Bank, Harris Premaratne said that after the war was over Jaffna experienced a glut of employment opportunities and therefore the bank as a responsible body with a national duty in mind decided to go to Jaffna and conduct the interviews.

CEO Sampath Bank Harris Premaratne	AGM (HR) Sampath Bank Neil Bogahalande

Advertisements were placed in the newspapers and 2,000 applications were received. AGM (HR) Neil Bogahalande and his team flew to Jaffna without asking them to come to Colombo. In Jaffna Bogahalande and his team processed the applications and a total of 650 youth who had fulfilled the basic requirements were called for an interview. And those 650 who were not among the shortlisted candidates were told of the areas they ought to improve. Most importantly this process gave them the confidence to face an interview and as they were in their home town they were more relaxed. The 234 who were short listed sat for a written test from which 27 youth were selected.

Sixteen of them are graduates while the rest are Advanced level qualified. Premaratne said that at present they are undergoing a one month orientation. Most of the youth have come to Colombo for the first time in their lives. Therefore volunteers were found among the staff to help them around during their stay in Colombo. They also got an opportunity to visit Kandy and Matara.

Premaratne said that they will be ambassadors of goodwill and friendship when they go back to Jaffna as they experienced the hospitality of the people in the South, contrary to the perception they had earlier.

He said that they will open four more branches within the next four months. Sampath Bank has developed a new strategic plan where the bank plans to portray Sampath Bank as a national bank in its true sense, said Premaratne.

Bogahalande said that the new branches in Mannar, Eravur, Omanthai, Chenkalady, Samanthurai and Kaththankudy will have staff from the respective areas.

To facilitate the recruitment process and for the convenience of the applicants all interviews were held at these towns. Bogahalande together with his team visited Batticaloa and Kalmunai from January 27-29 to recruit experienced bankers as well as new entrants from the area.

"In their minds it is a great opportunity since bankers are held in high esteem in North and East," said Bogahalande.

He said that Sampath is the first bank to open branches in the newly cleared areas and in addition to a business decision it is also a social responsibility.

At present there is no support from financial institutes in the area therefore they are not in a position to start any business venture.

As soon as we start operations the bank will support the people of the area to start businesses as well as construction.

He said that in addition to these facilities all customers will be able to enjoy the benefit of all our products be it in savings accounts or leasing.

At present Sampath Bank has 114 branches including Batticaloa, Vavuniya, Kalmunai and Trincomalee.