This June, the World Environment Day is celebrated around the globe under the theme, ‘Seven Billion Dreams, One Planet. Consume with Care’, which expresses the challenge of creating opportunities for inclusive and sustainable economic development, while attempting to stabilise the rate of resources used. In line with this thinking, Sri Lanka too celebrates Environment Day 2015 under the national theme ‘sustainable use protects the earth’. NDB, a bank dedicated for national development and prosperity has been advocating a similar thought process over the past four years. The pioneering nation-wide savings proposition themed ‘Ithuru Karamu, Api Hademu, Rata Hadamu’ (Let’s Save, Prosper and Build the Nation) introduced in 2011 by the bank, advocates that the savings habit which begins with humble efforts in each individual’s home, could collectively contribute to the sustainable development of the nation. Thus, NDB ‘Ithuru Karana Maga’ educational campaign, which has now been extended to every nook and corner of the island, reveals to the public a novel thought process that aims to alter the traditional outlook on monetary savings. This thought-provoking concept of NDB points out that the savings made on everyday essentials such as water, electricity, telephones, fuel, time and environment, will one day translate into greater wealth – thus, suggesting that savings is not only about saving money, but is also about careful consumption of resources.
National savings serve as a sustainable source of capital for development of a country, while helping maintain community empowerment, intensifying agricultural pursuits and growing industrial enterprises.
As Sri Lanka moves ahead steadily in its ambitious economic development course, it is a timely national obligation to increase the country’s savings base - thus, giving rise to adequate financial resources to meet such commitments while reducing dependency on foreign borrowings. In Sri Lanka, the bulk of domestic savings are accumulated through individuals who have developed the good habit of saving for the future. NDB believes that the bank has a pivotal role to play in raising the level of domestic savings in the country, while encouraging citizens to become active contributors, through responsible consumption of resources.
The handy savings booklet ‘Ithuru Karana Maga’ published by the bank is an interesting keepsake that highlights the potential benefits of cutting down unnecessary waste. It offers useful tips on how to optimize the benefits and minimize wastage of common everyday essentials while reaping advantages of proper management of both time and the environment.
