The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has announced the first winners of its exciting ‘Debit Card Challenge 2026,’ with 250 debit card holders emerging victorious in the inaugural monthly draw of a promotion that is set to reward 1,000 customers with prizes worth a total of Rs. 45 million.

The campaign, which will run until 30th June 2026, is one of the Bank’s latest initiatives designed to provide greater value and rewarding experiences to its customers, further reinforcing its commitment to delivering superior benefits through everyday banking, transforming routine debit card usage into opportunities to win an array of exciting and practical rewards.

Open to all Commercial Bank debit card holders, the promotion rewards customers who spend Rs. 20,000 or more per month using their debit cards at Point-of-Sale terminals, for online transactions, or via the Bank’s Q+ Payment App. Each qualifying customer is automatically entered into monthly raffle draws, with winners selected island-wide.

The first of these draws which saw 250 customers walk away with valuable prizes, sets the tone for the remaining months of the campaign. Monthly draws will continue through to June, offering more customers the chance to win, the Bank said.

Adding further excitement, customers who spend Rs 100,000 or more throughout the promotional period and consistently meet the required monthly spending thresholds will also qualify for a grand draw, at which an additional 25 high-value prizes will be awarded.

The prize pool features a wide selection of sought-after household and electronic items, including refrigerators, televisions, washing machines and iphones, ensuring that winners receive rewards that bring real value to their daily lives.

The ‘Debit Card Challenge 2026’ has been launched as part of Commercial Bank’s strategy to further strengthen its leadership in the cards segment, while rewarding customer loyalty and encouraging greater adoption of secure, convenient digital payment methods.

By simply using their Commercial Bank debit cards for routine purchases, customers not only benefit from the ease and safety of cashless transactions, but also gain access to a rewarding experience that could see them take home one of over 1,000 prizes.

With more draws to come and bigger rewards on the horizon, the Bank has invited all debit card holders to maximise their usage and take full advantage of this limited-time opportunity to turn everyday spending into extraordinary wins.

The Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) is looking beyond the traditional boundaries of mobility and road safety toward the future of mobility through sustainable developments in vertical mobility applications under the global guidance of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).

AAC President Mr. Dhammika Attygalle believes AAC has the potential to contribute sustainable and proven systems, regulatory understanding, and international mobility frameworks toward developing Sri Lanka’s future mobility landscape while supporting the country’s broader economic development.

Representing Sri Lanka at the recent FIA Regional Drone and Vertical Mobility initiative held in Nepal was AAC Executive Committee Board Member Indula Sumithraarachchi, who participated alongside regional delegates and international mobility experts discussing the applications of vertical mobility systems and evolving regulatory frameworks covering mobility integration, safety, aviation and legal regulations.

“As mobility technologies evolve globally, we see vertical mobility as a natural extension of future mobility ecosystems. We believe vertical mobility is connected to sustainable areas not limited to future urban mobility, transport and logistics, infrastructure integration, safety frameworks, disaster and emergency response, and environmental efficiency,” he stated.

Drones are already being commercially utilized in Sri Lanka for dronegraphy (photography and videography using drones), agriculture, surveying and mapping, events, and marketing. However, it is important that greater attention is given toward safety standards, operational protocols, and aviation regulations, licensing, approvals and career professionalism as drone pilots within Sri Lanka in order to make these technologies safer and more accessible to the public.

International mobility experts increasingly recognize drones as part of a wider vertical mobility ecosystem operating alongside aviation and respective local regulatory frameworks. Experts explain that drone systems are helping countries establish regulatory structures, safety standards, technical expertise, aerial management systems, and operational frameworks that may eventually support broader future mobility technologies.

For AAC, the relationship between drones and vertical mobility represents a wider future mobility framework involving how people, services, safety, infrastructure, information, and transport systems may operate in more connected, intelligent, and efficient ways beyond conventional road-based transportation.

For decades, AAC has played an important role in Sri Lanka’s mobility sector through road safety advocacy, motoring assistance, tourism support services, driver awareness initiatives, and public mobility education. The association has continuously contributed toward improving safe mobility practices for Sri Lankan road users and motorists.

AAC now aims to position Sri Lanka within these evolving international mobility conversations while ensuring that future mobility development remains safe, responsible, and aligned with international standards.

The association also believes collaboration between regulators, aviation authorities, educational institutions, private sector innovators, and international mobility organizations will become increasingly important as future mobility ecosystems continue to develop globally.

Through FIA-supported international engagement and regional collaboration, AAC hopes to contribute toward building awareness and understanding of future mobility opportunities while ensuring Sri Lanka remains connected to emerging global transportation developments.

As mobility increasingly moves toward smarter, interconnected, and technology-driven systems worldwide, AAC’s initiatives into vertical mobility reflect its broader vision of supporting safe, progressive, and future-ready mobility solutions for Sri Lanka and future generations.

Vietjet Air, Vietnamese new-age hybrid airline, has announced its first direct service connecting Colombo to Ho Chi Minh City at the Sri Lanka – Vietnam Trade, Investment and Tourism Cooperation Forum. The announcement took place in the presence of General Secretary and President of Vietnam To Lam, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Harini Amarasuriya, and senior officials from both countries.

This is the airline’s first direct service between Sri Lanka and Vietnam, supporting the airline’s international expansion while contributing to stronger economic, trade, tourism, and people-to-people ties between the two nations.

The Colombo – Ho Chi Minh City route is expected to commence in August 2026 with four round-trip flights per week. Travelers from Colombo will soon enjoy affordable fares and seamless connectivity to Vietnam’s leading tourism and business hubs, along with convenient access through Vietjet’s extensive international flight network to major destinations across the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, Japan, South Korea, China, and beyond.