Nations Trust Bank discusses the importance of sustainable value creation
Signifying the role of a Bank on sustainable development, Theja
Silva, Company
Secretary and General
Counsel of Nations
Trust Bank said
“Nations Trust Bank is expected to safeguard and enhance the value of wealth of our stakeholders, so they could enjoy a better quality of life.Therefore, while we continue to provide better financial solutions and returns to our stakeholders, we have come to realize that because of larger environmental, social and economic impacts and vulnerabilities, the value of this wealth is at risk of being eroded with the quality of life being affected. However, as a financier with island-wide branch network, the Bank will positively contribute to improve the social and environmental and address these vulnerabilities.”
Theja Silva added “During the past three years, we have been measuring the carbon footprint of our hub operations and taking action to reduce our emissions including through the installation of a 40kW solar PV system in our largest owned office complex. The Bank wants to promoteeconomic options such as Climate Smart Agriculture, Smart Mobility and Green Buildings through our financing that helps our customers improve their productivity and resilience.”
Discussing the Bank’s current CSR initiatives and outcomes, Theja Silva added that “Our Board of Directors have set aside 1% of our Profit After Tax to undertake community programs that have a strong development impact focusing on education and environmental stewardship. Therefore, one of the key outcomes is to improve digital literacy and digital intelligence in the country withour ShilpaSayura Foundation partnership to promote e-learning and develop programming logic in schools.
Elaborating further, Theja Silva said, “We work with leading environmental societies in the country such as the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) and the Wildlife Conservation Society of Galle (WCS-G). We also fund the animal rescue service and animal hospital operated by WCS-G at Hiyare and our conservation efforts also include hog deer breeding in Honduwa and research on leopards in Deniyaya. We recently partnered with Biodiversity Sri Lanka to restore 1ha. of forest in Opatha adjoining the Kanneliya Forest Reserve.”
Nations Trust Bank PLC is one of Sri Lanka’s fastest growing licensed commercial banks, offering a wide, comprehensive range of solutions to Individuals, SMEs, Corporates and Institutions.