ComBank unveils new look Jaffna branch in Green building

History was revisited when the Commercial Bank of Ceylon returned to the original location of its Jaffna branch recently, resuming operations at an address where banking had taken place since the late 1930s.

Completely rebuilt and designed and equipped for eco-friendly operations, the new Jaffna branch building at 474, Hospital Road, Jaffna, represents a major enhancement in services. The original building at this location came into Commercial Bank’s possession in 1973 when the bank acquired three branches of the Mercantile Bank of India (MBI), and had been patronised by several generations of customers. The branch has been in operation since 1973 without any interruption to its operations. Commercial Bank operates 12 branches within the Jaffna peninsula and a total of 18 branches in the Northern region, the bank said in a media release.

Following its ceremonial reopening on March 15, the new five-storey Jaffna branch of Commercial Bank has an Automated Banking Centre (ABC) with five Cash Recycler Machines (CRMs), an eSlip cheque collection facility and a Cheque Deposit Machine (CDM) that together offer access to cash and deposit facilities around the clock, 365 days of the year.

The building will be fitted with rooftop solar panels that will generate a major percentage of the electricity required; a rainwater harvesting facility and its own sewage treatment plant that will recycle sewage into water to irrigate the gardens; and is designed to maximise use of natural light during daytime, further reducing energy consumption. It is also equipped with energy-efficient air-conditioning, and the accessories in the bathrooms are all water-efficient, enhancing the building’s ‘Green’ credentials. Additionally, the bank said many green and re-usable materials were used in the construction process.

The new building was ceremoniously declared open by Commercial Bank Chairman Justice K. Sripavan accompanied by the Bank’s Managing Director S. Renganathan, Chief Operating Officer Sanath Manatunge and members of the corporate management.

Commercial Bank also recently relocated its Trincomalee branch to a purpose-built eco-friendly building on land owned by the bank.

Above: Commercial Bank Chairman Justice K. Sripavan flanked by the bank’s Managing Director S. Renganathan (left) and Chief Operating Officer Sanath Manatunge, declares open the bank’s new Jaffna branch building in the presence of members of the corporate and senior management.