BoT launches 'Bank at school' in Mallavi
[TamilNet, Friday, 24 March 2006, 12:04 GMT]
"Bank at school saving programme promotes students to start thinking to attain the best economical resources in their future," says K. Blakrishnan, the Managing Director, Bank of Tamileelam (BoT), in his introductory speech on the merits of School Saving Units of the Banks in LTTE administered areas. The BoT ceremoniously opened Thursday the fifth of its Students' Savings Unit, at Mallavi Central College, in the Mullaithivu district.

Mr. K. Balakrishnan, Managing Director, BoT, delivering introductory speech.
"We are to establish School Savings Units in all regions where a Bank of Tamileelam branch exists and initially we open these units in schools which higher grades," the Managing Director of the BoT further said.
Mallavi Traders Union had donated the intial deposit money to fifty students from impoverished background to open accounts, Bank officials said.
The first School Savings Unit of the BoT was opened in the latter part of 2005, is located in Kilinochchi Central College in the Killinochchi district. The second was established in Vidyananda College in the Mullaithivu district.
St.Theresa Girls' College in Kilinochchi got the third School Savings Unit while the fourth was begun in Vatakachchi Maha Vidyalayam in Kilinochchi, according to the Bank officials.

Saving Books donated to students at the opening ceremony

Thunukai Regional Secretary unveils nameboard of School Savings Unit.

Tamil Eelam Bank Director V. Cholamaravan issues saving account books to students.
"The Sri Lankan state owned banks and other private banks in the South, with their branches in our regions, receive money deposited by our people. But that money, instead of being utilized for our benefit, is spent in developing the South while the customers of these banks here have to undergo severe hardships in obtaining loans which often are tied with conditions," commented Mr. Balakrishnan.
The aim of this scheme is that the students who had fallen behind due to the impact of war should reach higher economic standards and knowledge, leading them to development," BoT Director explained.
"The speciality of these School Saving Units is that they are managed entirely by students. This provides them with practical knowledge improving their economic skills," he went on.
The BoT has plans to extend this service to Mulangavil, Visuvamadu, Pallai, Poonery in the Kilinochchi district and at Pulliyankulam in the Vavuniya district.
Mallavi Central College Principal Mr. Sathiyapaln inaugurated the opening ceremony with lighting the traditonal lamp. The Thamileelam national flag was hoisted by V. Cholamaravan, BoT's director.
The welcome address was delivered by K.Thayalini, an Advanced Level student at Mallavi school.
The name board of the Saving Unit was unveiled by Regional Secretary Nanthakumar while J. Cruse, Thunukai Zonal Director of Education cut the ribbon opening the office building.
The Saving Account books were issued by the Director, the Managing Director and Thunukai Regional Secretary Nanthakumar to students opened accounts with the Savings Unit.
The chief-guest address was delivered by Thunukai Zonal Director of Education J. Cruse while Regional Secretary Nanthakumar, Mallavi Area Political Head of the LTTE Arunthavam, Mallavi Maha Vidyala Principal Ms. K. Krishnapillai, Mallavi Traders Union President T. Tharmalingam also spoke in the event.