The Christian Guild of People’s Bank recently hosted its 47th Annual Christmas Carols at the People’s Tower in Colombo 02, bringing together staff, families, and the wider bank community in festive celebration.
Staff representing branches from Colombo, Puttalam, Kalutara, and Jaffna regions performed the carols, filling the venue with the spirit of the season. The event was held under the patronage of Rt. Rev. Dr. J. D. Anthony, Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo.
The occasion was graced by People’s Bank Chairman Prof. Narada Fernando, Chief Executive Officer/General Manager Clive Fonseka, members of Corporate and Executive Management, bank staff and their families, as well as retired employees of People’s Bank.
The celebration concluded with a joyful moment as Santa Claus distributed gifts to children, adding a special touch to the festivities and spreading holiday cheer among all attendees.
First Capital to restore 15 acres of forest with WNPS-PLANT
First Capital Holdings PLC, a subsidiary of JXG (Janashakthi Group), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) through its PLANT initiative (Preserving Land and Nature [Guarantee] Limited) to support a large-scale forest restoration project in Sri Lanka’s central highlands.
Anchored in the belief that long-term success is driven by empowering people through financial literacy and responsible social and environmental practices, First Capital will fund the restoration of approximately 4 kilometres of riverbank (around 13–15 acres) along the Nanu Oya within the Great Western Estate in Thalawakele. This effort forms part of PLANT’s Emerald Trails programme, which aims to create interconnected forest ecosystems in Sri Lanka’s biodiverse southwestern region, home to a majority of the island’s endemic species.
Beyond ecosystem restoration, the initiative contributes significantly to climate change mitigation. Reforestation helps absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide, enhances carbon sequestration, stabilizes local microclimates, and protects vital water sources and soil health. Over time, the restored forest corridor along the Nanu Oya will serve as both a biodiversity haven and a natural carbon sink, strengthening Sri Lanka’s resilience to increasingly erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, and ecosystem degradation.
Dilshan Wirasekara, MD/CEO of First Capital, stated, “Long-term value creation goes beyond financial growth. This project reflects our collective responsibility to restore ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and ensure that future generations inherit a greener planet.”
People’s Bank Hosts Its 47th Annual Christmas Carols Celebration
