the “ outward bound ” programmes would agree that they have gained new insights on working as teams through their participation. we intend to send staff at all levels on such programmes in the future. i also wish to request all trade unions of the bank to extend their fullest co - operation to the management to create a stimulating work environment in which employees would be able to advance in knowledge and acquire the necessary skills to meet challenges and effectively fulfill their responsibilities thereby transforming the bank into a center for excellence with enhanced productivity and staffed with competent professionals. towards this end, i would encourage the staff to have better exposure to the developments in the real sector. i have also reiterated the importance of dealing with the employees in a fair and equitable manner. the management on its part is ready to listen to the employee grievances and problems but i would encourage you to also make innovative suggestions to address these grievances and solve problems. at the same time, i wish to emphasize the importance of displaying your loyalty and commitment to this institution at all times. finally, i wish that all of you would get the strength and determination to overcome all the bottlenecks and hindrances before you in the new year.

sunil mendis : creating a challenging and stimulating work environment new year message 2005 by mr sunil mendis, governor of the central bank of sri lanka, to all employees of the central bank of sri lanka, colombo, 1 january 2005. * * * i issue this traditional new year message at a time when the whole of sri lanka has been engulfed by a national tragedy caused by “ tsunamis ” that hit the country on 26th december, 2004. i take this opportunity to express our deepest condolence to the members of the families of bank employees who have lost their lives and to our employees and their loved ones who have suffered by this calamity. at the same time, i wish to share the sorrows of those employees who have lost their property. words are insufficient but hope that they would move forward from this tragedy. with the magnitude of the disaster, there is no question that our nation needs to be rebuilt. hence, as employees of a state organization which is at the apex of the country ’ s financial system, we have an invaluable task to perform. in this context, i place my message before you with the plea that we take part in the nation - building task by offering our maximum efforts. i have been greatly encouraged by the positive response which all the employees have demonstrated towards the provision of relief to victims and rebuilding of the nation. you would recall that in my first message to you on assuming the office of the governor of the central bank on the 01st july 2004, i stated that i was deeply conscious of the great honour attached to my appointment to this august post. now, i address you with 6 months ’ experience at the helm of this unique institution which is responsible for safeguarding the price stability and the country ’ s banking and payments system. during the last decade, the staff of the central bank faced several traumatic events and challenging situations. the central bank bomb blast, which took away the lives of 41 employees and caused injuries to nearly 1000 employees, was the most traumatic event. however, i understand that even those seriously injured joined the unaffected employees to offer their best efforts to the bank and as a consequence, the bank was in a position to resume normal work without an interruption within a short period of time. this reflects the resilience of our staff. thereafter, the bank was subject to a modernization and restructuring scheme. a major feature of the restructuring process was the offering of a voluntary retirement scheme ( vrs ) for certain categories of the staff