People’s Bank has launched a remittance promotion aimed at the children of Sri Lankans working abroad, timed to World Children’s Day, Hiru News reported.
How the draw works
Children who open an Ethera Udana Personal Foreign Currency Minors’ Savings Account and receive remittances through People’s Remittance between 1 October and 31 December 2026 qualify for a draw. The prize is an Ethera Udana school stationery pack valued at Rs. 5,000.
The bank describes the campaign — “Doodaru Pranama” — as recognition of migrant workers’ contribution, and as an attempt to steer their foreign exchange earnings toward their children’s education rather than day-to-day consumption.
Two further draws run alongside it. Customers receiving workers’ remittances directly through People’s Bank can win weekly cash prizes of Rs. 100,000 under “Vaasi Kotiyai 2026”, while “Dolosmahe Vaasi Chakraya” runs through the year, with the chance of winning rising with the amount remitted.
The campaign creative published with the filing carries the Doodaru Pranama and Vaasi Kotiyai 2026 marks together, confirming the two run in parallel. Hiru’s English copy renders the weekly draw as “Vaasi Kotiya”; the campaign’s own artwork reads “Vaasi Kotiyai”.
What the account itself offers
The Ethera Udana account lets parents working overseas save in foreign currency for a child’s education and later milestones. Benefits listed include additional interest tied to the balance and an exemption of up to Rs. 100,000 toward a child’s first airline ticket when travelling abroad for higher education.
Account holders can also receive cash prizes for results at the G.C.E. O/L and A/L examinations, including London examinations, and eligible children can qualify for insurance cover. Other benefits include exemption from bank commissions on TT payments made for educational purposes and on balance confirmation letters, and access to People’s Wisdom education loans.
Remittances are one of Sri Lanka’s largest sources of foreign exchange, and state banks compete directly for the formal share of those inflows against informal channels.
Not reported: the filing does not say how many Ethera Udana accounts exist, how many customers are expected to qualify, or how many stationery packs will be awarded. It gives no date for the draw, does not state the minimum remittance needed to qualify, and carries no comment from a named bank official. No figure is given for People’s Bank’s current share of inbound remittances.
