Providing Clean Drinking Water to Veheragalagama Village in Matale
The Bank installed a ‘Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant’ (RO Plant) in Veheragalagama, a very remote village in Wilgamuwa, in the Matale district.
The plant was ceremoniously opened by the CEO of NDB Bank Mr Dimantha Seneviratne in the presence of the members of the NDB Leadership Team, Corporate Sustainability (CS) Team, Village Officials and the Villagers of Veheragalagama. The RO Plant has the capability of processing 10,000 litres of water a day and will directly benefit over 300 households (over 1,000 people) in this village.
A tube well was installed as the water source and a ‘Village Committee’ set up to manage the day-to-day operations of the RO Plant including the daily distribution of water.
The villagers are predominantly farmers who face many difficulties and have no means to purchase an RO Plant. Speaking at the event, the Principal of the village school Mr. C J Wijesooriya thanked the bank, stating that this initiative would greatly benefit the villagers – minimizing the risk of water borne diseases especially the dreaded kidney disease. He stated that there are around 100 villagers who suffer from kidney disease, and they have to travel over 40 km to get treatment from the hospital in Mahiyangana. The closest RO Plant is located over 4 kms from the village and the villagers have to face many difficulties to collect water every day.
Assisting the Visually Impaired
The Bank joined the ‘Sri Lanka Welfare Society of The Blind’ to assist 10 visually impaired entrepreneurs by giving them a Grant to undertake self-employment work. Mr. Wasantha Jayamanne, Branch Manager NDB Negombo Branch who is a ‘Qualified Credit Advisor’ educated the gathering on financial well-being, entrepreneurship, and the assistance they can receive from the bank for their self-employment activities.
The bank also donated 100 White Canes which is not just a symbol of safety & self-respect for the visually impaired – it is a tool of independence fulfilling their mobility & direction requirements.
Donations to Minor Staff at NDB
The ongoing economic crisis in our nation, the price increase of essentials and the fuel crisis has affected everyone – impacting societies vulnerable with greater intensity.
Therefore, the bank took steps to support the cleaning staff, tea staff and security staff working at NDB Head Office and DHPL who are the most vulnerable at this time.
The bank provided monetary assistance to these employees, enabling them to meet their essential needs during this period.