Bank Without Heart .... !

I have a NRFC account (No: 995902459XXXXX @ Kottawa Branch).
Due to some urgent financial requirement, my wife (Mrs. Silva) was trying to withdraw money this morning (18 Sep 13) but was refused that facility despite, 

Sshe was presenting a proper legal documents to prove her Identity as well as her authorization to execute such transaction in my absence.
Therefore, First I wish to know on what grounds that she was denied the withdraw.
Secondly when and how could I clear this obstacle as I am urgently in need for money.
Awaiting a favourable and speedy response.
Thanks.
Sasanka De Silva.

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Dear sir,
We are unable to process your above request due to following reasons.

power of attorney should be issued within one year,

power of attorney not introduced by account holder,

should be a specific power of attorney stating required accounts.

In the alternative we suggest the following,

please send a request to transfer money from nrfc account to any other specified account
stating account numbers and names with your signature.
Please also attach a copy of your nic/passport .

regards,
suraj jayaratne
assistant manager-kottawa branch

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Dear Mr. Jayaratne,

That was a legal document without expiry covering all matters and accepted anywhere in Sri Lankan except at your Bank and that was a disappointment.

I may have very limited funds in my account but I have a larger circle of friends and I am sure I will share my bitter experience with them soon.

This was not the first occasion Kottawa branch disappointed me and soon I will decide what to do with our accounts held with you.

Once again it was a big disappointment and I thought I was dealing with a 21st Century bank and not with a medieval one.

Sasanka De Silva.

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Now you be the judge of their claim of being the Bank with Heart.

I say Bull shit.

The Letter that never got answered?

The Chairman,

Seylan Bank Limited,

Colombo,

Sri Lanka.

Dear Mr. Narangoda,

The purpose of this mail is to formally notify you of my displeasure of the way my remittance matter was handled by the Asia Express Exchange in Oman, which is under your management.

I have been dealing with the said Exchange from the inception in Oman.

On the 27^th October, I deposited some money in one of your branches in Seeb to transfer the funds to my wife’s account in Sri Lanka.

At the time of the transaction, I was assured that the money would be available in Sri Lanka, the following morning and I had no reason not to believe Teller then.

On the 29^th morning, I received a call from my wife to inform that the money has still not reached her account.

Immediately I contacted Mr. Don Malinda, the person who assured me that the funds will be made available the next morning.

He took down my contact and promised to check that out and call me back.

Sadly that promised call never came up until now.

Then in desperation, I contacted Mr. Amit, the Chief Manager of the Exchange in the evening on his private mobile as none of the listed lines were being picked up by the Seeb branch or the main branch in Ruwi.

As he was out of the office at that time that he wanted to send him my remittance details and he would call me back first thing in the following morning.

After checking twice with the bank, my wife called me again this morning (30^th) to inform that the funds have still not reached Sri Lanka.

After giving a reasonable time for Mr. Amit to check whatever he needs to check and advice me of the status of my remittance, I called him back on his private mobile.

Instead of apologizing for his failure to keep his word or the inconveniences caused due to their mishandling of my money, he became defensive by stating that he was about to call me back, which was a few hour over due by then.

If a senior person in this organizing was behaving in such a manner, what would we expect from a junior Teller like Mr. Don Malinda?

Regret to say but I started to think whether such behavior is endemic in this organization.

Sri Lankan community in Oman is a small but well knitted community and the word of mouth is a very potent force.

Further there are many other banks too offering the exactly or much better services to such businesses.

Therefore, I sincerely hope that you would seriously look in to this complaint and give me some answers as well as the assurances that such a mishandling would not occur in future dealing.

Or I am happy to take my business to your competitors in future and I am unable to assure you that the news of me dumping Seylan Bank reaching the Sri Lankan community as well.

Copy of the Demand draft is attached herewith for your easy reference.

Thank you,

Sasanka De Silva,

30th October 2010.