NDB Bank is proud to announce the renewal of its partnership with the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Referees (SLSRFR), continuing its role as the "Official Banking Partner." This renewed collaboration, originally established in April 2023 for a period of three years, reaffirms NDB’s commitment to supporting youth sports and fostering the growth of rugby in Sri Lanka.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the renewed partnership, Kelum Edirisinghe, CEO of NDB Bank, stated, "We are delighted to extend our support to the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Referees Association. At NDB, we believe in nurturing talent and promoting sportsmanship among the youth. This partnership aligns perfectly with our vision of empowering the next generation and supporting the growth of rugby in Sri Lanka."
The President of SLSRFR, Dinka Peiris, also shared his thoughts on the partnership, saying, “SLSRFR is dedicated in ensuring the highest standards in officiating and promoting the sport at all levels across the country. The support from NDB Bank has been instrumental for this. Their continued partnership enables us to focus on developing our referees and promoting fair play in the sport. We are grateful for NDB’s commitment to rugby and look forward to achieving great milestones together."
Rugby is one of the most popular sports in Sri Lanka, with a wide television viewership and a strong social media presence. This partnership with SLSRFR also presents an opportunity for the Bank to connect with the vibrant youth segment of the country. NDB’s diverse product portfolio, including the youth-focused NDB ZEE account and the user-friendly digital banking platform NDB NEOS, offers comprehensive banking solutions tailored to meet the needs of these youth.
NDB Bank has a long history of playing an active role in youth empowerment and the advancement of sports in Sri Lanka. Driven by the bank’s theme, "The future is banking on us," this partnership underscores NDB’s sustained efforts to support Sri Lankan sports from the grassroots to the highest levels. It represents a strategic opportunity to honor the bank's commitments to the community and contribute to the overall development of youth sports.
The Sri Lanka Society of Rugby Football Referees was formed with the approval of the Ceylon Rugby Football Union, now known as the Sri Lanka Rugby Union. The very first rugby match in Sri Lanka was a sevens match played in Ratnapura in 1931, and subsequently, in 1953, a referee society was formed. In addition, at present, the SLSRFR observes all club and school rugby football matches, with a minimum of three and a maximum of six referees per match. Currently, there are 103 referees in the SLSRFR.
NDB Bank is the fourth-largest listed commercial bank in Sri Lanka. The Bank was named the Retail Bank of the Year (Sri Lanka) at Asian Banking & Finance Retail Banking Awards 2023 and the Best Corporate Bank 2023 by Asiamoney and also emerged as the Most Awarded Corporate in Sri Lanka in 2022 for the second consecutive year, as per the annual rankings of Sri Lankan publication LMD. The Bank was adjudged the Best Bank in Sri Lanka 2022 by Global Finance USA and Euromoney in their annual best bank awards programmes. Additionally, The Bank was named one of the "Top 50 Best Workplaces in Sri Lanka 2022" by Great Place To Work, USA. NDB is the parent company of the NDB Group, comprising capital market subsidiary companies, together forming a unique banking and capital market services group. The Bank is committed to empowering the nation and its people through meaningful financial and advisory services powered by digital banking solutions.