Sarvodaya Development Finance Brings First-Ever ATM to Thalawakale, Empowering Tea Estate Communities Through Financial Inclusion

In a landmark initiative underscoring its commitment to financial inclusion and rural empowerment, Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC (SDF) has installed the first Automated Teller Machine (ATM) at the Tea Research Institute (TRI) in Thalawakale, bringing formal banking services to over 5,000 tea estate families in the region for the first time.

This milestone marks a tangible step forward in SDF’s mission to bridge Sri Lanka’s urban-rural financial divide. The newly deployed ATM ensures safe, secure, and convenient access to cash withdrawals and account services, significantly reducing the time, cost, and risk involved in travelling to distant towns for basic banking.

For years, the absence of an ATM in Thalawakale had caused significant inconvenience for residents, forcing them to travel long distances, often over an hour to perform basic banking activities. This was particularly burdensome for estate workers, many of whom rely on daily wages and limited transport options. With this installation, essential financial services are now available within their own community, restoring not just convenience, but dignity and empowerment.

Positioned at the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country, this intervention directly supports one of the most economically marginalized yet nationally significant communities: tea estate workers. For decades, these communities have powered a globally renowned industry while remaining at the periphery of formal economic systems.

Commenting on the milestone, Nilantha Jayanetti, Chief Executive Officer of Sarvodaya Development Finance, stated:

“This is not merely an ATM it is a symbol of dignity, autonomy, and economic inclusion. In communities where financial access was once a distant reality, we are now enabling opportunity to unfold at their doorstep. By embedding modern financial tools within rural ecosystems, we are creating the foundation for generational transformation. At SDF, we believe that true development is not top-down, but rooted in proximity, trust, and empowerment.”

The initiative also contributes to financial literacy and formal savings behaviour, offering new pathways for personal financial management, digital transactions, and long-term economic stability for estate-based families. Many first-time users of the ATM expressed visible emotion and joy capturing the life-changing power of access.

As Sri Lanka’s fastest-growing licensed finance company and a full member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), SDF continues to lead with purpose, delivering community-focused solutions that merge financial sustainability with social transformation.