SAMPATH BANK HONOURED FOR SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING EXCELLENCE

Sampath Bank PLC has been recognised as Runner Up in the Banking Category at the ACCA Sustainability Reporting Awards 2025 in Colombo. The accolade, awarded for its Integrated Annual Report 2024, highlights the Bank’s commitment to transparent, responsible and forward-looking sustainability reporting, aligning financial performance with environmental and social impact.  

Sampath Bank PLC has been recognised as the Runner Up in the Banking Category at the ACCA Sustainability Reporting Awards 2025, held recently at Cinnamon Life, Colombo. The accolade was awarded for the Bank’s Integrated Annual Report 2024, which reflects its continued commitment to transparent, responsible and forward-looking sustainability reporting.  

The recognition was driven by the strength of Sampath Bank’s integrated reporting approach, which connects financial performance with environmental and social impact. Its Integrated Annual Report 2024 presents a comprehensive account of how responsible governance, sustainable financing and stakeholder engagement contribute to long-term resilience. By clearly articulating material sustainability priorities, supported by measurable indicators and transparent disclosures, the Bank has provided stakeholders with a deeper understanding of its value creation journey.  

Commenting on the achievement, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sampath Bank PLC, Sanjaya Gunawardana, emphasised that sustainability reporting at the Bank reflects its broader responsibility as a financial intermediary serving society. “Our approach to reporting goes beyond disclosure. It reflects how sustainability principles guide the way we operate, manage risk and create long-term value for stakeholders. Recognition at the ACCA Sustainability Reporting Awards affirms the progress we have made in strengthening transparency while ensuring that our sustainability journey remains relevant and meaningful to those we serve,” he stated.  

The Bank’s report is aligned with globally recognised frameworks including the Global Reporting Initiative Standards, the Integrated Reporting Framework and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures. This alignment strengthens the credibility and relevance of its sustainability disclosures while demonstrating how environmental and social considerations are incorporated into strategic decision-making. By embedding these frameworks, Sampath Bank has reinforced its ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders and ensure that its sustainability journey is benchmarked against international best practice.  

Organised by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Sri Lanka, the Sustainability Reporting Awards were introduced in 2004 to recognise organisations that demonstrate meaningful disclosure of environmental, social and governance performance. Over the years, the awards have evolved into one of Sri Lanka’s most respected benchmarks for corporate transparency, encouraging organisations to communicate how sustainability considerations are embedded within strategy, governance and long-term value creation.  

Recognition at the ACCA Sustainability Reporting Awards reflects Sampath Bank’s continued efforts to advance transparency while integrating sustainability into its long-term strategy. It underscores the Bank’s commitment to responsible banking and sustainable progress for Sri Lanka, reinforcing its role as a financial institution that not only drives economic growth but also contributes to environmental stewardship and social wellbeing.  

By consistently demonstrating how sustainability principles shape its operations, Sampath Bank has positioned itself as a leader in responsible banking. The accolade serves as both recognition of past achievements and encouragement to continue strengthening its sustainability journey. For stakeholders, the Bank’s integrated reporting offers assurance that its financial success is inseparable from its commitment to creating long-term value for society and the environment.  

At a time when sustainability reporting is increasingly seen as a measure of corporate accountability, Sampath Bank’s recognition at the ACCA Sustainability Reporting Awards 2025 highlights the importance of transparency and responsibility in the financial sector. It reflects a growing expectation that banks must not only deliver financial returns but also demonstrate how they contribute to sustainable progress, resilience and inclusive growth.