Sri Lanka’s leading private sector bank HNB PLC rolled out the second phase of its
flagship Oba Venuwen Api nutrition initiative to support expectant mothers. The
project is a steadfast steady continuation of the Banks’ effort to combat malnutrition
among children and pregnant mothers.
HNB’s timely intervention will support women from disadvantaged communities who
face challenges in procuring essentials. Working in collaboration with MOH offices,
Divisional Secretariats, and midwives, the Bank selected a further 1,000 expectant
mothers to 56 selected Customer Centers across the island to provide nutrition
packs valued at Rs. 5000/- to each beneficiary for three consecutive months, starting
from May.
“As we roll out the second phase of our Oba Venuwen Api initiative, we are
determined to make a lasting impact on the lives of expectant mothers. By providing
essential nutrition support, we aim to empower these women and pave the way for
healthier futures for both the mother and child,” HNB Deputy General Manager –
Sustainability and Corporate Communications L. Chiranthi Cooray said.
Seminars were organized with health care professionals to educate participants
about pregnancy and the needs of new borns. This collaborative effort ensures that
expectant mothers are provided with necessary nutrients for a healthy pregnancy
while also educating them on practices to ensure their wellbeing.
The ‘Oba Venuwen Api’ initiative, driven by HNB’s Sustainability Foundation, is
funded by HNB employees who contributed a day’s pay at the onset of the
pandemic. The bank then matched the donations to establish the fund, which has
since been allocated for various projects aimed at uplifting Sri Lankan during
challenging times.
As part of the initiative, HNB has carried out several projects aimed at improving
social welfare including the donation of VDI computers to the Cardiology Unit of the
National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL), assisting cancer patients with financial aid, in
addition to several donations to hospitals.
“Oba Venuwen Api” also extends to environmental sustainability efforts, where the
bank continued to contribute to the Kanneliya Forest Conservation initiative. HNB is
also recognised as the first Bank to receive the Carbon Neutral certification across
all its operations in 2022, reiterating their commitment towards affirmative climate
action.
Top: (From left) HNB Regional Business Head – South Western Region, Mahinda
Seneviratne and HNB DGM-Sustainability & Corporate Communications, L. Chiranthi
Cooray, providing a nutrition pack as HNB DGM – Legal, Thushari Ranaweera (far
right), and Gov’t Health Officials, look on at the Oba Venuwen Api Nutrition Drive
launch held at the HNB Padukka Customer Center
Bottom: Gov’t Health Officials and HNB Officials providing nutrition packs to
expectant mothers at other events held at customer centers across the island for the
Nutrition Drive