The Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC), the oldest motoring organization established in 1904 and the Galle Services Club (GSC), which is an old sports and recreational body established in 1946, recently entered into a Reciprocal Membership Agreement for the use of facilities of the clubs reciprocally by members on days / hours when the clubs are open for business.

The rationale for the agreement is to enhance members’ benefits of both clubs and to enable them to access a broader range of services, discounts and facilities while encouraging greater participation in community engagement.

It is also intended to explore joint events, training programmes, road safety campaigns and travel related activities that leverage the strengths of each organization.

The Reciprocal Membership Agreement was duly signed and shared between Dhammika Attygalle, President – AAC; Senaka De Silva, President – GSC, at Radison Blue Hotel on July 4, during a sing along programme organized by GSC.

Reaffirming its unmatched leadership and excellence in Sri Lanka’s banking sector, the Commercial Bank of Ceylon has been named Best Bank in Sri Lanka for the 15th consecutive year at the FinanceAsia Awards 2026, while also winning six other prestigious accolades across key areas of banking, the most by Sri Lankan bank.

In addition to being named the country’s Best Bank, Commercial Bank was also honoured as Best Bank for SMEs, Best Bank for Use of Technology, Best Islamic Finance House, Best Sustainable Bank, Best Private Bank and Best Retail Bank in Sri Lanka. Collectively, these accolades underscore the Bank’s leadership across key areas of the financial services spectrum.

Widely regarded as one of the most respected benchmarks in the Asia-Pacific financial services industry, the FinanceAsia Awards recognise institutions that demonstrate excellence in performance, innovation, leadership, customer service and resilience. The 2026 edition marks the 30th edition of these flagship awards, which evaluate banks on financial strength, strategic growth, digital transformation, sustainability initiatives and overall contribution to their respective economies.

“Recognition at globally respected award programmes such as the FinanceAsia Awards further strengthens our standing among leading regional and international peers, while affirming our performance in financial strength, innovation, customer service and sustainability,” said Sanath Manatunge, Managing Director/CEO of Commercial Bank. “This success also enhances stakeholder confidence and reinforces customer trust in the Bank’s ability to deliver consistent value across multiple areas of banking.”

The awards were accepted on behalf of Commercial Bank by Chinthaka Dharmasena, Assistant General Manager – Services, and Krishan Gamage, Deputy General Manager – Information Technology (Operations), at the gala ceremony held on 24th June 2026 in Hong Kong.

Explaining the basis for its selections, FinanceAsia noted that the 2026 awards celebrate institutions that demonstrated determination to deliver desirable outcomes during 2025 through strong commercial and technical acumen, despite operating in complex and evolving market conditions.

The first Sri Lankan bank with a market capitalisation exceeding US$ 1 Bn., and the first bank in the country to be listed among the Top 1000 Banks of the World, Commercial Bank has the highest capital base among all Sri Lankan banks, is the largest private sector lender in Sri Lanka, and the largest lender to the country’s SME sector. Ranked No. 1 in the Business Today Top 40, the Bank is recognised as the most respected and most-awarded bank in Sri Lanka, is a leader in digital innovation and is the country’s first 100% carbon-neutral bank.

Commercial Bank operates more than 270 strategically-located branches and an extensive network of automated machines island-wide, and has the widest international footprint among Sri Lankan banks, with 21 branches in Bangladesh.

Under the umbrella of CDB’s Sustainability Strategy, the sixth Small and Medium Business (SMB) Fair emerged as a special initiative to champion local enterprise. On June 19th and 20th, Kandy’s Sahas Uyana transformed into a catalyst for empowerment, as Citizens Development Business Finance PLC (CDB) notched yet another milestone. Over two vibrant days, more than a thousand visitors per day experienced Sri Lanka’s digital marketplace, celebrating the diversity, resilience, and innovation of small and medium businesses across the nation.

The fair offered a rich tapestry of products and services — from food and beverage stalls to clothing and fashion retailers, accessories, batik creations, handmade bags and agricultural products. For participating merchants, the event was more than a showcase; it was a platform to connect directly with customers. There was a definite expression of appreciation for the opportunity given to merchants, who voiced strong interest in joining future editions. This underscored the fair’s growing reputation as a stimulus for small business growth.