The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has taken the lead to help devotees visiting Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak) through its Corporate Social Responsibility Trust (CSR Trust).

This project began last year to rehabilitate and reconstruct the stretch between Seethagangula and Thenna, following a request by the Chief Incumbent of the Sri Padasthanaya Venerable Handapangoda Wimalabhidana Thero and the Chief Incumbent of Uda Maluwa Venerable Dampahala Seelananda Thero, the Bank said.

“The Sri Pada path-way through Hatton was in a highly dilapidated condition and we were informed that there were delays in obtaining the necessary funds for the reconstruction of this stretch which was in a particularly bad condition. Our CSR Trust responded by undertaking the project to rehabilitate and reconstruct this stretch with the consent of the authorities,” Commercial Bank’s AGM-Plan Implementation Richard Rodrigo was quoted as saying.

Work on the stretch undertaken by the Commercial Bank is progressing fast despite the many challenges of working during the “Off Season” which is also the rainy season. Another difficulty is carrying the building materials manually to the place of work located at high elevations.

“Notwithstanding all this, the work is nearing completion and we expect to handover the rehabilitated roadway to the authorities in the near future. This would ease the hardships faced by pilgrims visiting Sri Pada at least to some extent,” Mr. Rodrigo added.