Purposeful Strategy
Our Sustainability Journey
As with many local businesses, our journey is intertwined with an appreciation of the need for building sustainable communities and the reliance on our natural environment for life itself. As a bank, our years in investing in communities has taught us that favourable weather leads to prosperity and financial stability in communities and vice versa. These truths underpin our commitment to sustainability reporting and gaining deeper insights into the sustainability related risks and opportunities that will be considered when determining our strategic priorities.
- Evolving our report
- Sustainability in action
- Sustainability recognition
2013
- Compiled Annual Report using GRI G4 Standards (Comprehensive)
- Compiled the first GHG Inventory Report prepared by Sampath Bank covering Head Office
2014
- Adoption of Integrated Reporting Framework
- Migration to solar energy to manage energy mix of the Bank
- Certification as 'Carbon conscious Bank'
2015
- Annual Report was certified as a 'Carbon Neutral Product' by Sri Lanka Carbon Fund (Pvt) Limited
- Early signatory to the Sri Lanka Banks’ Association (SLBA) led Sustainable Banking Initiatives
- Conducted the Carbon Neutral CSR Award Ceremony for employees in the Bank
- The winner of 'Best Corporate Citizen' organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
- Gold recipient of 'CSR Brand of the Year' organised by Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing
2016
- Launched the first ever Carbon Neutral Hotel Stay programme in Sri Lanka
2017
- Migrated Annual Report to GRI Standards 'In Accordance – Comprehensive' option
- Scope of GHG Inventory Report expanded to cover the Head Office and all 229 branches
2018
- Initiated 'Sampath Green Inventor' CSR programme, a national level competition to promote eco-friendly inventions
- Joined hands with Biodiversity Sri Lanka to restore 10 hectare of degraded forest in Halgahawala, Opatha to support conservation of biodiversity
2019
- Conducted a series of special entrepreneurship development workshops for pensioners
- Collaborated with the Provincial Department of Agriculture - North Western Province to facilitate the 'Wayamba Isuru' organic market
- The Bank Head Office was certified as 'Carbon Neutral' by Climate Smart Initiatives (Pvt) Ltd
- Special recognition by the Small Hydro Power Developers Association for the support extended towards sustainable development and energy security of Sri Lanka
2020
- Expanded the 'Sampath Saviya' Entrepreneurship Development Programme to help businesses affected by the pandemic induced economic slowdown, to strengthen their resilience against unforeseen externalities
2021
- Appointed the ESMS implementation Committee to strengthen the Environmental and Social Risk Management System (ESMS)
- Structured and invested in a ‘Deep Discounted Bond’ issued by LVL Energy Fund PLC, which is thought to be the first of its kind for a listed corporate in the energy sector
- Launched 'Gasai Mamai Pubudu Pothai' Tree Planting programme for school children
- Expanded the investment on 'Wewata Jeewayak' Tank Restoration Programme by restoring three tanks in Anuradhapura, Puttalam, and Kurunegala districts
2022
- Obtained SLSAE-3000 based Integrated Reporting Assurance Statement
- Commissioned the National Cleaner Production Centre of Sri Lanka (NCPC, Sri Lanka) to conduct an Eco Office Audit and Waste Audit at the Head Office
- Obtained independent verification to reaffirm that the 2022 GHG Inventory Report is in alignment with ISO 14064- 1:2018
- Launched “A Breath to the Ocean” Oceanic Ecosystem Restoration Programme covering the three pillars of coral replanting, mangrove restoration and turtle conservation
- Appointed a professional consultancy firm to strengthen the ESMS and suggest improvements in line with the Green Finance Taxonomy and IFC Performance Standards
- Gold recipient of “CSR Brand of the Year” organised by Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing
- Recognised as the “Market Leader - CSR, Sri Lanka” by the Euromoney Magazine 2022 and as the “Best Bank for CSR, Sri Lanka” by Asiamoney Magazine 2022
2023
- Voluntary compliance with TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures) by having a TCFD Report for the 1st time in the Annual Report
- Signed off as a participatory organisation to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC)
- Launched the Turtle Conservation Project at Rekawa, Tangalle under the 'A Breath to the Ocean' Oceanic Ecosystem Restoration programme
- Strengthened the Environmental and Social Risk Management System with expert knowledge of an external consultancy firm
- Undertook to restore 5 tanks under the 'Wewata Jeewayak' programme
- Awarded the 'Best Bank in Sri Lanka for CSR, 2023' and the 'Best Bank in Sri Lanka for ESG, 2023' by the world renowned Asiamoney Magazine
- Adjudged as the Runner-up in the Banking Category of ACCA Sri Lanka Sustainability Reporting Awards 2023
2024
- Appointment of an external consultant to conduct gap analysis for implementation of SLFRS S1 and S2
- Appointment of a Manager - Sustainability Reporting to strengthen the reporting requirements
- Show the readiness for SLFRS S1 and S2 with the guidance of TCFD framework
- Adoption of SASB standard for Commercial Banks, Consumer Finance and Mortgage Finance for better transparency
- Continue reporting on Carbon footprint
- Appointment of Board Sustainability Committee, Management Level ESG Committee and ESG Representatives from each department and branch to strengthen the ESG governance structure
- Appointment of an external consultant to strengthen the ESG Policy Framework
- Undertook to restore 9 tanks under the “Wewata Jeewayak” programme signifying the highest ever undertaking during a year marking 25th tank restoration
- Re-launched the Sampath Nature Protection Club (SNaPC) with broader objective of contributing towards environmental and social sustainability
- Launched recyclable Sampath Visa Infinite Metal Credit Card for premium offering for top clients
- Ranked among Global Top 3 Banks for Corporate Responsibility by Euromoney
- Awarded as Asia's Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility by Euromoney
- Crowned as the 2nd Runner-Up and Finance Sector Award Winner at the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards 2024 organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
- Received the Silver Award of the Private Banking Sector at the TAGS Awards 2024 of CA Sri Lanka while securing a spot in Top 10. Honoured with three Certificates of Recognition under Integrated Reporting, Corporate Governance, and Sustainability Reporting, showcasing its dedication to transparency, accountability, governance and sustainability for its stakeholders
- Adjudged as the Runner-up in the Banking Category of ACCA Sri Lanka Sustainability Reporting Awards 2024
