Sampath Bank’s Sustainability Leadership Recognised at ACCA Sri Lanka Awards ‘24

Sampath Bank has been honoured as the Runner-up in the Banking Category at the ACCA Sri Lanka Sustainability Reporting Awards 2024. This recognition highlights the bank’s unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and sustainable business practices. The awards ceremony, organised by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Sri Lanka, was held recently at the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo.

Since its inception in 2004, the ACCA Sri Lanka Sustainability Reporting Awards has served as a benchmark for corporate responsibility, acknowledging organisations that effectively disclose environmental, social, and governance (ESG) information. Sampath Bank’s recognition reflects its dedication to maintaining the highest reporting standards and reinforcing the connection between corporate strategy and sustainability. Therefore, the awards encourage companies to elevate their sustainability disclosures, ensuring they align with global best practices while demonstrating their impact on communities and the environment.

Managing Director of Sampath Bank PLC, Ayodhya Iddawela Perera, commented on this achievement, stating, “Sustainability remains at the heart of our business philosophy; it is the lifeblood that shapes our approach to responsible banking. This recognition further affirms our commitment to maintaining a balance between financial performance and our responsibilities towards the environment and society. We appreciate ACCA Sri Lanka’s role in fostering corporate accountability through sustainability reporting and remain dedicated to enhancing our disclosures to drive meaningful impact.”

The evaluation process involved a rigorous review by an independent panel of experts, who assessed reports based on key criteria such as completeness, credibility, and communication. Sampath Bank’s comprehensive approach to ESG reporting, aligned with global frameworks such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, Integrated Reporting, and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), was crucial in securing this accolade. The bank's sustainability efforts extend beyond reporting, encompassing initiatives focused on financial inclusivity, climate resilience, and social responsibility, reinforcing its dedication to creating long-term value for stakeholders.

Sampath Bank continues to prioritise sustainability as an integral aspect of its operations, ensuring that ethical governance and responsible business practices remain at the core of its growth strategy. The bank remains focused on embedding sustainability into its long-term vision, driving financial growth while positively impacting the communities it serves, and this accolade will continue to strengthen its ESG initiatives furthering its contribution towards a resilient and sustainable future.

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Photo Caption: 

Image 1: (L to R) Mr. Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Dr. Lalith Weragoda – Chief Human Resource Officer, Sampath Bank, Mr. Nuwan Pathirana – Head of Sustainability, Sampath Bank, Mr. Chaaminda Kumarasiri, Chairman of ACCA Sri Lanka and Ms. Nilusha Ranasinghe, Head of South Asia – ACCA