Highlights the importance of embracing sustainability in shaping future dreams

Recognizing and celebrating the visionary dreams and imagination of young minds, Amana Bank recently hosted the awards ceremony for the ‘My Future, My Dream’ All Island Essay Competition at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) under the patronage of Guest Speaker Chamindry Saparamadu, the Director General of the Sustainable Development Council of Sri Lanka and Mohamed Azmeer, Managing Director/CEO of Amana Bank.

In line with the Bank’s mission of Enabling Growth and Enriching Lives, the ceremony was a culmination of creativity, imagination, and aspirations as the essay competition was a testament to the power of dreams, the strength of young minds, and the limitless possibilities that lie ahead.

The event witnessed the presentation of 1st Place, 2nd Place and Merit Awards in two age categories separately under Sinhala, Tamil, and English mediums. A total of 42 winners, accompanied by their parents, teachers, and well-wishers, gathered to mark the conclusion of the competition that saw over 3,500 essay submissions from schools across the island. The diversity of entries showcased the rich tapestry of dreams held by the youth of today.

The first-place winners in each category received a cash prize of Rs. 50,000, while the second-place winners were awarded Rs. 30,000. Another five exceptional essays from each category, recognised as merit awards, received Rs. 10,000 each, acknowledging the outstanding talent displayed by the young winners.

Sharing the objective of the competition Amana Bank’s Vice President – Retail Banking & Marketing Siddeeque Akbar during his opening remarks said “Through this competition we encouraged young minds to dream big, think innovatively, and consider the broader impact of their aspirations on society. By penning their dreams on paper, we have been instrumental in helping them take their first step towards making their dreams a reality.”

Addressing the gathering, Mrs. Chamindry Saparamadu, the Director General of the Sustainable Development Council of Sri Lanka, shared the importance of embracing sustainability in shaping future dreams. During her feature presentation, Mrs. Saparamadu educated the young audience on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), along with highlighting the three main dimensions addressed by the UNSDG’ i.e. the social dimension which focus on people and quality of life, the environmental dimension to ensure responsible consumption of natural resources and the economic dimension to support long-term economic growth without negatively impacting socially and environmental dimensions. Her insights resonated with the audience, encouraging the young winners to envision a future that not only fulfils personal aspirations but also contributes to a sustainable and harmonious world while also highlighting how one can adopt sustainable practices in day to day life.

Commenting on the successful initiative, Mohamed Azmeer, Managing Director/CEO at Amana Bank, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Today we celebrated dreams, aspirations, and the power of words to shape the future. The theme, "My Future, My Dream," encapsulates the essence of what we, as a society, should strive to foster – the belief that every individual has the power to shape their destiny through the dreams they envision. In a world that is constantly evolving, where challenges and opportunities coexist, your dreams become the compass guiding you toward a purposeful and fulfilling future. While congratulating the winners today, I am happy that we have inspired over 3,500 children to pursue their dreams.”

Amãna Bank PLC is a stand-alone institution licensed by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange with Jeddah-based IsDB Group being the principal shareholder having a 29.97% shareholding of the Bank. The IsDB Group is a ‘AAA’ rated multilateral development financial institution with a membership of 57 countries. Testifying its position as a leading practitioner of the non-interest based banking model, Amãna Banks continued to be recognized amongst the Top 100 Strongest Islamic Bank’s in the World by The Asian Banker.

Amãna Bank does not have any subsidiaries, associates, or affiliated institutions apart from its engagement with OrphanCare as its Founding Sponsor.

Image Captions -

Image 1 - Chamindry Saparamadu, Director General of the Sustainable Development Council of Sri Lanka

Image 2,3 - Winners of ‘My Future, My Dream’ All Island Essay Competition