The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has contributed to an effort to develop an advanced Hydrotherapy and Recovery Unit in Sri Lanka that will advance sports medicine and offer facilities for the rehabilitation and management of patients with certain non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The Bank recently donated an ice bath chiller tub to the Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (CSEM) of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Colombo. The ice bath is an advanced recovery method that aids muscle recovery, reduces inflammation, and prevents long-term injuries.
The Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine provides clinical services that utilise exercise interventions for the rehabilitation of injury patients and the prevention and management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and lung conditions.
The Centre also engages in research in sport and exercise medicine and offers educational programmes for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. The CSEM is currently developing a Hydrotherapy and Recovery Unit, which will use hot and cold-water treatments.
Commercial Bank Managing Director/CEO Mr Sanath Manatunge and Chief Financial Officer Mr Nandika Buddhipala represented the Bank and its Corporate Social Responsibility Trust at the donation of the equipment, which also serves the needs of sports medicine professionals in the country.
According to the CSEM, there is a growing need for specialised medical support to enhance performance, prevent injuries, and aid in faster recovery, as Sri Lankan athletes continue to rise on the international stage. Professionals in sports medicine play a crucial role in ensuring athletes can reach their full potential while minimising risks.
Commercial Bank’s CSR Trust was established in 2004 under a Deed of Trust that sets out its objectives, the powers of the Trustees and eligibility criteria for support. The Bank transfers a percentage of its post-tax profits annually as funding for identified projects. By 2024, the Trust had contributed more than a billion Rupees in support, with approximately 70% going to education-related projects and the rest to
healthcare, community, and environment linked causes.
Commercial Bank is the first Sri Lankan bank to be listed among the Top 1000 Banks of the World and has the highest market capitalization in the Banking Sector in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). The Bank is the largest lender to Sri Lanka’s SME sector, is a leader in digital innovation and is Sri Lanka’s first 100% carbon neutral bank. Commercial Bank operates a strategically located network of branches and automated machines island-wide, and has the widest international footprint among Sri Lankan banks, with 20 outlets in Bangladesh, a Microfinance company in Myanmar, and a fully-fledged Tier I Bank with a majority stake in the Maldives. The Bank’s fully-owned subsidiary CBC Finance Ltd. also delivers a wide range of financial services via its own branch network.
Photo caption:
Commercial Bank Managing Director/CEO Mr Sanath Manatunge unveils the plaque of the new Hydrotherapy and Recovery Unit and (below) the ice bath chiller tub donated by the bank.
