Sri Lanka’s Sampath Bank wins Sumathi award for digital commercial after its CSR campaign Wewata Jeewayak earned runner-up recognition at the Sumathi Awards 2026, highlighting the bank’s long-term commitment to supporting rural communities and preserving Sri Lanka’s agricultural heritage.
Sri Lanka’s Sampath Bank wins Sumathi award for digital commercial for its Wewata Jeewayak CSR campaign
The recognition marks another milestone for Sampath Bank’s corporate social responsibility efforts, with the award-winning commercial celebrating the resilience of Sri Lanka’s farming communities while drawing national attention to the importance of protecting the country’s agricultural resources. Through compelling storytelling, the campaign underscored the essential role of village irrigation tanks in sustaining rural livelihoods and ensuring the long-term future of agriculture.
According to Sampath Bank, the Sri Lanka’s Sampath Bank wins Sumathi award for digital commercial recognition reflects the success of its long-standing Wewata Jeewayak initiative, which has focused on restoring and revitalising village irrigation tanks across Sri Lanka. The programme aims to strengthen farming communities by improving water availability for cultivation while preserving traditional irrigation systems that have supported agriculture for generations.
The award-winning commercial highlighted how access to sustainable water resources remains critical for farming families facing changing environmental and economic conditions. By showcasing real-life rural landscapes and the people who depend on them, the campaign connected audiences with the broader importance of conserving the country’s agricultural infrastructure.
Through Sampath Bank CSR initiatives such as Wewata Jeewayak, the bank has continued to demonstrate that financial institutions can contribute beyond banking services by investing in projects that generate long-term social and environmental benefits. The initiative reflects a broader commitment to sustainable development, community empowerment, and the protection of Sri Lanka’s natural resources.
The commercial also reinforced the significance of safeguarding irrigation systems that continue to support thousands of farming families across the island. Village tanks have historically played a central role in Sri Lanka’s agricultural economy, providing reliable water supplies for cultivation while strengthening rural resilience during periods of drought.
Winning recognition at the Sumathi Awards further validates the campaign’s ability to combine meaningful storytelling with an important social message. Rather than focusing solely on brand promotion, the commercial highlighted national priorities including environmental conservation, agricultural sustainability, and community wellbeing.
The Sri Lanka’s Sampath Bank wins Sumathi award for digital commercial achievement also reflects growing appreciation for purpose-driven advertising that delivers positive social impact alongside creative excellence. As organisations increasingly integrate sustainability into their corporate strategies, campaigns that communicate authentic community engagement continue to resonate with audiences and industry judges alike.
Sampath Bank stated that the commercial reinforced the importance of protecting the resources that sustain Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector and the communities that depend on them. By continuing the Wewata Jeewayak initiative, the bank remains committed to supporting rural development while preserving a vital part of the nation’s agricultural heritage for future generations.
The recognition at the Sumathi Awards 2026 serves as both an acknowledgment of the campaign’s creative success and a reminder of the importance of long-term investment in rural communities. Through Sampath Bank CSR programmes, the bank continues to demonstrate how corporate responsibility initiatives can create meaningful social value while strengthening awareness of issues that matter to the country’s future.