Business
ComBank wins ‘World Class Award’ at the Global Performance Excellence Awards presented by Asia Pacific Quality Organization

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has been recognised as a role model with a Global Performance Excellence Award (GPEA) for achieving significant milestones in business excellence.
Sri Lanka’s benchmark private sector bank was one of eight of the winning organisations adjudged a ‘World Class’ winner of the Global Performance Excellence Award for 2022 presented by the New Zealand based Asia Pacific Quality Organisation (APQO).
The ‘World Class’ award was presented to Commercial Bank as a result of a submission made about the Bank’s commitment to facilitate business excellence based on the Baldrige Excellence Framework for the National Quality Award (SLNQA) presented by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) which was recommended by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution for the Asia Pacific Quality Organization competition.
The Global Performance Excellence Award was presented for validated management best practices, quality systems, standards, procedures and processes that are proven leading local, regional and international practices for quality advancement, business success and sustainability to support national, regional and Asia Pacific economic development, growth and success.
The awards aim to promote the adoption of proven or new approaches and strategies and best-in-class practices in various aspects of operational performance such as deployment of 4th Industrial revolution enabling technologies, automation and data technologies, smart manufacturing, service 4.0, digital transformation, data analytics, development of smart talents, etc., which are driving forces for companies or organisations to stay competitive in the ever-evolving economy.
Commercial Bank also won the APQO International Best Practice (AIBP) Gold Award for managing the system accesses given to Bank employees.
Commenting on this latest achievement, Commercial Bank Managing Director and CEO Mr Sanath Manatunge said: “We believe that quality, be it in service, process or product, must never be compromised even in the most challenging times. In fact, when external factors impact on some aspects of performance, adherence to quality becomes an important differentiator. Becoming the first and only Sri Lankan bank to win a Global Performance Excellence Award in the World Class category demonstrates that this credo has been adopted at every level within the Commercial Bank family.”
The Global Performance Excellence Awards programme is the only formal international recognition of performance or business excellence. The awards are intended to promote awareness in performance excellence as an increasingly important tool in competitiveness towards global business success and sustainability.
The Asia Pacific Quality Organisation was formally established in 1985 and is represented by National Quality Organisations in Asia and Pacific Rim countries including the American Society for Quality. It is a non-profit organisation formed to be a primary mover for quality and continuous improvement for goods and services and quality of life in the Asia Pacific Region.
Sri Lanka’s first 100% carbon neutral bank, the first Sri Lankan bank to be listed among the Top 1000 Banks of the World and the only Sri Lankan bank to be so listed for 12 years consecutively, Commercial Bank operates a network of 268 branches and 940 automated machines in Sri Lanka. Commercial Bank is the largest lender to Sri Lanka’s SME sector and is a leader in digital innovation in the country’s Banking sector. The Bank’s overseas operations encompass Bangladesh, where the Bank operates 19 outlets; Myanmar, where it has a Microfinance company in Nay Pyi Taw; and the Maldives, where the Bank has a fully-fledged Tier I Bank with a majority stake.
Business
Dr RAD Jeewantha named most innovative dentist of the year

Dr. R. A. D. Jeewantha was honoured as the Most Innovative Dentist of the Year at the Business World International Awards, 2025. Organised by the Business World International Organisation, the award ceremony was held recently at the Mount Lavinia Hotel. A graduate of the Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Dr. Jeewantha has built a reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s most respected and forward-thinking dental surgeons. After gaining vital experience in Government hospitals, including the Teaching Hospital in Karapitiya, he also served at a leading private hospital before launching his own practice—Doctor J Premium Dental Care in Delkanda, Nugegoda.
His dental clinic is known for offering advanced, patient-focused treatments in restorative dentistry, cosmetic procedures, and implantology, using state-of-the-art technology. Dr. Jeewantha is especially skilled in dental implants, having completed the American Residency Course in Dental Implantology at Roseman University, accredited by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Dr. Jeewantha holds fellowships from the International College of Continuing Dental Education (FICCDE) and the Pierre Fauchard Academy (USA). His advanced skills include modern root canal treatments using Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) for both surgical and non-surgical procedures.
He has completed international trainings in digital dentistry, full-arch implantology techniques like All-on-Four and Zygomatic Systems, and smile design using digital 3D scans. He has participated in global dental events such as the Asia-Pacific Dental Congress and completed training at institutions including the University of Manchester and North Western State Medical University in Russia. His courses have covered everything from intraoral scanning to managing tooth wear. He has previously received many local and international awards. Dr. Jeewantha also serves the community as a Justice of the Peace for All Island.
Business
IIHS Foundation in Biological Studies offers fast-track route to global health careers

The Foundation in Biological Studies at IIHS provides a unique alternative for students looking to fast-track their health careers after their Ordinary Level (O/L) exams. This programme offers a direct route to global health careers, bypassing traditional A/Ls. With over 1,000 students already advancing to universities in Australia, the UK, and Finland, IIHS has positioned the course as a reliable launchpad for careers in fields like medicine, nursing, biomedical sciences, and digital health. “This programme is a game-changer, offering a transformative journey into global healthcare education,” said IIHS CEO Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe.
Business
Seylan Bank Reports Strong Growth in Q1 2025 Financials

Seylan Bank has recorded a Profit before Tax (PBT) of LKR 4,199 million in Q1 2025, marking a 13.36% growth compared to LKR 3,704 million in Q1 2024. Profit after Tax (PAT) rose by 20.29%, reaching LKR 2,761 million, up from LKR 2,295 million in the corresponding period of 2024.
Despite a decrease in net interest income by 8.37% due to market interest rate reductions, the bank’s net fee-based income grew by 13.83%, driven by fees from loans, cards, remittances, and other services. Total operating income for the quarter was LKR 11,258 million, a 3.83% decrease from the previous year, while operating expenses rose by 4.62%, largely due to increased personnel and other operating costs.
Impairment charges were significantly reduced by 83.17%, totaling LKR 262 million, reflecting the bank’s solid credit quality and proactive provisions. The bank’s impaired loan ratio improved to 1.98% from 2.10% in Q1 2024, with a provision cover ratio of 80.74%.
Seylan Bank’s total assets grew to LKR 785 billion, with loans and advances reaching LKR 469 billion and deposits totaling LKR 647 billion. The bank’s capital adequacy ratios remained strong, with the Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio at 13.67% and Total Capital Ratio at 17.64%.
In addition to its financial performance, Seylan Bank continued its commitment to education, opening 16 more “Seylan Pahasara Libraries,” bringing the total to 281 libraries across the island.Fitch Ratings upgraded Seylan Bank’s National Long-Term Rating to ‘A+(lka)’ with a Stable Outlook in January 2025, further underscoring the bank’s financial stability and growth trajectory.
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