Standard Chartered raises funds for SiB.:

Music for a Cause

Staff of Standard Chartered Bank hosted a musical show titled ‘Music for a Cause’ as part of efforts to raise funds for its Seeing is Believing (SiB) vision care program. The show, featuring popular Sri Lankan bands and solo artistes, was held on May 2, at the Bishops College Auditorium and was a tremendous success with a full house comprising Bank employees and their friends and families.

The show was organised by the Group Technology and Operations team in Sri Lanka, and featured some performances from the Bank staff as well.

The celebrated Sri Lankan musical band, the Gypsies, which was adjudged Dance Band of the Year in 1989 and 1990 and its lead performer Sunil Perera, who was also adjudged Showbiz Personality of the Year in 1990, teamed up with the Bank to support this cause.

Popular singers Ronnie Leach and Mariazelle Goonetilleke also made guest appearances at the show. “We were very happy to support Standard Chartered Bank in this project that we hope will help improve the lives of many Sri Lankans living in blindness and poverty. I am glad that the private sector and musicians like us are able to contribute toward uplift the lives of our communities,” said Sunil. “Earlier this year Standard Chartered Bank invested Rs. 100 million in improving the urban eye care facilities for less-fortunate people living in the urban slums of Kandy and Colombo.

This musical show is another step in our commitment to continue highlighting the issue and raise awareness and funding for this cause. The response was overwhelming and the funds received will further enhance the SiB program,” said Yohann Dias Abeysinghe, Chief Information Officer, Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka.

SiB is a partnership between Standard Chartered and the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and was initiated by the Bank’s staff in 2003. The program aims to eradicate curable blindness in the markets the Bank operates in. Throughout the year, the Bank’s employees involve themselves in initiatives to raise money for SiB, thereby providing over 20 free cataract operations per month and aftercare, free of charge for less-privileged people.

Bank staff are also directly involved in Eye Testing Clinics for Kids. The Bank recently established an exclusive Glaucoma Unit, the third of its kind in the Colombo District, at a cost of LKR 5 million to provide free testing for the needy.

The Bank also became the first financial institution to give its Credit Cardholders the ability to make a direct contribution to allow its customers to help improve eye care in Sri Lanka; they have the option of transferring their Bonus Points to the SiB program. Every Bonus Point transferred will be worth one rupee and every rupee donated will be matched by the Bank and will go towards providing free cataract surgery, preventive treatment, and specialised eye care.

Customers can also continue to support this effort by opening a Marathon Savings Account which contributes an interest of 1% per annum towards SiB. There are 45 million blind people in the world. A staggering 75% of blindness is avoidable. Standard Chartered Bank’s SiB program is investing USD 20 million in the development of sustainable eye care services in the less-advantaged areas of 20 cities, including urban slums of Colombo and Kandy in Sri Lanka. The program will provide poor, marginalized populations with cataract surgery, preventive treatment and specialized medical interventions.