Sampath Bank opts to sponsor National Scout Service Month - 2021

Nanda Fernando - Sampath Bank PLC Managing Director 
Pics by Damith Wickramasinghe

Having been a scout himself, Fernando recalled how becoming a Scout has helped him in taking decisions and leadership. As such he has taken much interest in the Movement, thereby investing in certain initiatives

Currently there are around 75,000 scouts in Sri Lanka and the Movement comprise junior scouts, cub scouts, senior scouts and rover scouts. Theory on various topics such as life skills, history, first aid and sports are eventually applied when they go outdoors

The Scout Movement is a voluntary, non-political education movement that has been established to contribute to the development of youth. Established by an Act passed in Parliament, the Movement includes boys as well as girls between ages seven and 24. One of the primary objectives of this movement is to improve life skills of young girls and boys, thereby encouraging them to lead an independent life. As such, they take pride in performing various tasks depending on their age, rather than collecting funds through donation cards or flag days. Once the tasks are performed, the general public or an organisation makes a contribution to the Association. One such annual project, initially known as ‘Job Week’ is now known as the ‘National Scout Service Month’ to accommodate wider objectives.

The sponsor for this year’s project is Sampath Bank, which has been contributing to society with its various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities over the past 34 years. “We believe that 1% of our net profit should be reallocated to the society,” opined Sampath Bank PLC Managing Director Nanda Fernando. “The objective is to uplift the income levels and social status of the youth and elderly in this country. Some of these activities have been done to favor the environment as well as society. We have also contributed to the SME sector as well. Since we believe that the objectives of the scout movement contribute to the society, we have been sponsoring some of their initiatives as well. The National Scout Service Month will come into effect from December 7-31.”

Having been a scout himself, Fernando recalled how becoming a Scout has helped him in taking decisions and leadership. As such he has taken much interest in the Movement, thereby investing in certain initiatives. He further said that a project of this nature is more sustainable and productive rather than giving a meal to a poor family which is a one-off deed. “Over the past 34 years the Bank has spread its wings islandwide and currently there are 209 branches across the country. Back in 1987 the Sampath Bank took the lead in revolutionizing the banking sector, thereby introducing the automated teller machines and the Uni banking system. As such we managed to introduce new strategies to the public and we are proud to have taken this leadership.”

Currently there are around 75,000 scouts in Sri Lanka and the Movement comprise junior scouts, cub scouts, senior scouts and rover scouts. Theory on various topics such as life skills, history, first aid and sports are eventually applied when they go outdoors. From trekking on hikes to roaming in the jungles, camping and performing various other tasks, scouts have the opportunity to apply theory into practice. Scouts work in groups eventually helping them to build team spirit and boost their self-confidence to brave various challenges as they become adults later in life.