The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has been named the Best SME Bank in Sri Lanka for 2025 by Global Finance, securing this honor for the third consecutive year. The bank has seen significant growth in its SME offerings, especially through initiatives like the Commercial Bank LEAP GlobalLinker. Concurrently, activists are advocating for justice related to the Easter Commission, and PM Modi’s imminent visit to Sri Lanka is poised to strengthen bilateral relations.
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has been awarded the title of Best SME Bank in Sri Lanka for the year 2025 by Global Finance, marking the third consecutive year the bank has received this prestigious recognition. This accolade is granted to financial institutions that meet the specialized needs of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with the winners chosen based on a combination of objective criteria and editorial judgment from Global Finance.
In its recognition, Commercial Bank stands alongside notable institutions such as Bank of America, Lloyds Bank, Commerzbank, Credit Agricole, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, DBS, HSBC, HDFC, and Dutch-Bangla Bank, all designated as the best SME banks in their respective countries. The bank has demonstrated considerable growth within its SME portfolio, enhancing both its market presence and overall advanced offerings.
Recently initiated programs, such as ‘Commercial Bank LEAP GlobalLinker’ and ‘ComBank Trade Club,’ aim to elevate the capabilities of SMEs, particularly in accessing global markets. The Commercial Bank LEAP GlobalLinker is a digital platform established to support businesses, having onboarded over 13,000 customers and facilitating the creation of 700 e-stores for extended market access.
In addition to this achievement, civil society leaders are urging the swift implementation of recommendations from the Easter Commission, which investigated the 2019 terror attacks. Legal representatives emphasize the prolonged period since the tragedy without justice, advocating for government action to fulfill its promises to the victims.
Furthermore, the Indian government has officially announced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s forthcoming three-day visit to Sri Lanka, where he is scheduled to engage in bilateral discussions and inaugurate various projects supported by India.
Lastly, the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has unveiled serious concerns regarding drug supply and procurement procedures, revealing a lack of evaluation by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) regarding medicine imports for a particular company, and emphasizing accountability for responsible officials in the ministry.
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon’s continued recognition as the Best SME Bank in Sri Lanka highlights its effective strategies and strong commitment to supporting small and medium enterprises. Additionally, the ongoing demands for justice relating to the Easter Sunday attacks and the critical revelations regarding pharmaceutical supply oversight underscore significant civic priorities and governance challenges in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit may foster stronger bilateral ties and collaborative initiatives.
Original Source: island.lk
