In a powerful step toward environmental sustainability and youth empowerment, NDB Bank is proud to announce its partnership with the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) to support the expansion of the WNPS Youth Wing’s ‘Education for Conservation’ program to ten schools in the Kurunegala District. The official MoU signing for this partnership took place on 20th June at NDB Bank premises with representatives from both WNPS and the Bank present. This initiative is part of NDB’s broader commitment to empowering future generations to lead with purpose, passion, and a deep respect for the environment.
The program will engage over 500 schoolchildren annually, creating a lasting impact through education, leadership training, and hands-on environmental action. Through a carefully designed structure, students will participate in workshops covering themes such as biodiversity, climate change, pollution, and sustainability, while also receiving mentorship to launch school-based sustainability projects and citizen science initiatives.
“At NDB, we believe that creating a sustainable future begins with educating and equipping our youth,” said Lasantha Dassanayaka, the Head of NDB Bank’s Corporate Sustainability Committee, “This partnership with WNPS reflects our unwavering commitment to sustainability, conservation, and holistic nation-building. We are not just funding a program, we are investing in the environmental consciousness of tomorrow’s leaders.”
Echoing his sentiments, Shontaal Manuelpillai, the Co-Chairperson of WNPS Youth Wing stated “Positive change starts within your communities, and schools are one of the first points of action. The WNPS Youth Wing is excited to start a new chapter in the ‘Education for Conservation’ journey of youth inspiring youth creating the next generation of thoughtful leaders”
As a financial and brand partner of the initiative, NDB will support a range of activities across the program’s lifecycle, including:
Awareness-building sessions conducted in schools
Field-based nature education events and reforestation drives
A district-level felicitation ceremony to honour impactful student projects
Special leadership development training for top-performing youth ambassadors
Additionally, students selected as district ambassadors will be supported through a dedicated stipend facilitated via NDB accounts, strengthening the connection between responsible banking and responsible living. NDB staff will also play an active role in engaging with the program through volunteering and mentorship, creating a dynamic platform for collaboration and shared purpose.
The WNPS Youth Wing Program has already proven its effectiveness in multiple districts, cultivating environmentally literate youth and inspiring grassroots action. With NDB’s support, the program now enters the Kurunegala District with renewed energy and expanded capacity, aiming to build a vibrant network of 100 youth leaders, 10 sustainability action projects, and 10 biodiversity monitoring initiatives.
This partnership also supports NDB’s ESG-aligned sustainability agenda, where environmental protection, community education, and inclusive leadership development form integral pillars of the Bank’s purpose-driven strategy.
NDB Bank remains committed to being a force for good—enabling transformation not just in financial ecosystems, but in the ecological and social landscapes of Sri Lanka. Through this initiative, the Bank invites students, educators, and the broader community to come together in safeguarding the natural world and shaping a future built on awareness, resilience, and respect for the planet.
