The SANASA Society at Kirimetiyana in the Wennappuwa electorate won the Tritva Rantaru gold award for the best performance for the second year in succession at the annual Thirasara Abhiman competition to mark the annual International Co-operative Day.
It was the winner from among SANASA Societies in the North Western Province. The North Western Provincial Governor Tissa Warnasuriya was the chief guest at the awards ceremony at the Wayamba University auditorium recently.
“Our society has won a number of awards for excellence at a series of competitions held by the Department at the Zonal, Provincial and National levels earlier as well,” said Kirimetiyana SANASA Society Chairman G. A. M. Leelaratne.
“It was founded in February 1991 with 18 members and has become one of the leading financial institutions in the area today” he said.
Milestones
The SANASA office in Kirimetiyana town. At left is the auditorium.
Recounting the milestones in the Society’s journey, he said, “Our Society was registered with the Department of Co-operative Development in June 1992 and we opened our bank office in a rented building in April 1995. We steadily progressed as a Society cum financial institution over the years and shifted to a new building on a plot of land in the heart of Kirimetiyana town in April 2002 following its ceremonial opening by the architect of the SANASA Movement, Dr. P.A. Kirivandeniya”.
The services are not confined to financial requirements of Society members only. It has launched a variety of projects and programs to promote and foster community welfare, cultural activity in the area and to uplift the economic conditions of the people.
“We have started several poverty eradication programs. We are also holding blood donation campaigns and medical clinics to provide free medical care from time to time. We make available our well-equipped auditorium as a venue to hold cultural and other community events,” said Leelaratne.
What is the secret behind the phenomenal success of your Society?
“It is imperative that the leadership of a Society or any other institution for that matter is honest, sagacious, far-sighted and selfless. It is obvious that persons who have provided leadership to our Society so far were endowed with these qualities.”
He said, “An institution should also have an honest, efficient, courteous and friendly-staff to run its administration and the day – to-day affairs of the institution. Fortunately, we do have such a staff led by the Secretary/ General Manager A.M. A.P. Costa and Manager R.A. P. Kumudini.”
