Joins groundbreaking initiative by IFC, Australian Government and Sarvodaya 

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon recently joined the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Government of Australia and Sarvodaya to open an Early Childhood Development Centre in Batticaloa, set up under a project supported by the Bank. The St. Mary’s Montessori House of Children and Day Care Center can accommodate up to 50 children from ages 6 months to 10 years, and will provide infant care, early childhood education, pre-school and pre-kindergarten services as well as nutritious meals and after-school care options. It is intended to provide working parents in Batticaloa access to good-quality early childhood development and childcare options. This initiative will serve as a crucial support system, empowering families—especially working women—to sustain their economic engagements with assurance. This initiative also presents the childcare sector as a significant untapped opportunity for women entrepreneurs to venture into, creating new jobs while also providing much needed options for childcare. The Bank said this is the first step in extensive activities planned by the Bank in the social enterprise space.  

Pictured here is Commercial Bank’s Managing Director/CEO Mr Sanath Manatunge participating in the opening of the new Early Childhood Development Centre.