Business
Sampath Bank signs MOU with AIMGSL, the body representing internationally-qualified professional marketers
Sampath Bank signed a mutually beneficial memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreeing to act as a corporate sponsor for the Association of International Marketing Graduates in Sri Lanka (AIMGSL).
The organization for professional marketers with globally-recognized marketing credentials, AIMGSL offers mentoring, counseling, hands-on training, workshops and networking opportunities to its members. Under the terms of this corporate sponsorship agreement–valid for a year, and renewable–Sampath Bank PLC will be entitled to a host of benefits at future functions including events and programmes scheduled for the next twelve months in the AIMGSL’s event calendar. In addition to this, the Bank will collaborate and propose ideas towards some of the industry specific initiatives and events organised by AIMG. Ensuring that a level of expertise, insight, and resources are emphasized for the benefit of industries and marketing professionals.
The organization has a tentatively scheduled 12-month event calendar that include a host of events, varying from CEO forums, retail events, networking events, panel discussions, viewpoints, seminars along with their annual conference.
“This agreement will benefit our entire membership,” enthused Sujith Silva, Chairman of the Association of International Marketing Graduates in Sri Lanka, who signed the agreement on behalf of the AIMGSL. “A keen awareness of financial matters is of paramount importance to marketing professionals, so associating with bankers and having senior bank officers on hand to provide clarifications and answers to questions at forums, will be enormously helpful moving forward, especially given the slippery slope the economy is currently on. We are determined to acknowledge and support the Banking and Financial industry in Sri Lanka, with the guidance of these professional marketers. In line of this, our goal is to inaugurate specific programmes and initiatives, which would be much informative. Continuing this long-lasting relationship between the Bank and the Sri Lankan Marketing fraternity, has been nothing but memorable to us all. Our members stand to learn a great deal from their banking counterparts, primarily from a well-established Bank such as Sampath Bank. In return, I hope to provide insights and knowledge which would be beneficial for them.”
“This is a landmark agreement for both parties,” agreed Senior DGM /Group Marketing, Deposit Mobilization and Digitalization, Tharaka Ranwala, who signed the agreement on behalf of Sampath Bank PLC. “AIMGSL’s marketing professionals are qualified and poised to launch consumer and business-to-business campaigns that can jump-start the economy and get the country moving again. We’re excited to participate in the association’s annual events–we know how to help. Because strong banking partnerships, keeping an eye on bottom line issues at all times, and sound financial planning are the bedrock of successful marketing campaigns.”
Despite the contemporary obstacles faced by the banking sector in Sri Lanka, Sampath Bank has successfully maintained all its capital ratios well above regulatory requirements throughout Q1 2022. All the while, Sampath Bank has implemented all government-led moratorium schemes for eligible customer segments affected by the pandemic. The Bank’s digitalization strategy has also continued to prove its worth during these trying times by securing a more accessible and safer banking experience for customers.
Sampath Bank is a 100% local bank that has deeply rooted itself in the lives of the people of Sri Lanka. Established in 1987, the bank has become a state-of-the-art financial institution that continues to be a market leader today thanks to its constant innovation and customer focused approach to business. It has introduced many firsts to the Sri Lankan banking sector including introducing ATMs to Sri Lanka, extended banking hours, slip-less banking and adaptation of block-chain technology to name a few. As part of its visionary 2022 approach, the bank is steadily transforming itself into a ‘tech company engaged in banking,’ from the traditional approach of a bank adopting technology.
Sri Lanka must urgently strengthen policy consistency, accelerate investment reforms and fully leverage Colombo Port City as a global financial and services hub if it is to emerge as South Asia’s premier destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), business leaders and policymakers said at a high-level Public Relations Association of Sri Lanka (PRASL) forum on Monday.
The discussion, themed “Taking Sri Lanka to the World,” followed an address by internationally renowned scholar Prof. Patrick Mendis, who called for a foreign policy anchored in Sri Lanka’s own identity under what he termed the “Mahaweli Doctrine.”
Delivering the keynote business perspective, Colombo Port City Economic Commission chairman, President’s Counsel Harsha Amarasekara described the Port City as Sri Lanka’s largest public-private partnership and one of the country’s most significant economic transformation projects.
He stressed that unlike many large infrastructure developments, the Port City had not added a single dollar to Sri Lanka’s sovereign debt, with ownership of the reclaimed land remaining entirely with the government of Sri Lanka.
“The Port City is designed to compete globally in high-value services, finance, technology, tourism and innovation. It is not another industrial zone—it is a gateway connecting Sri Lanka to international markets, Amarasekara said.
He said that nine land parcels had already been leased, five major projects were under construction and several additional investments were expected before the end of the year.
The Port City, operating as a Special Economic Zone with transactions permitted in 14 foreign currencies, is targeting multinational corporations seeking regional headquarters, Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and innovation hubs.
Amarasekara said the project’s greatest long-term value would be knowledge transfer, international expertise and high-quality employment opportunities for Sri Lankan professionals.
Former Board of Investment chairman Arjuna Herath warned that Sri Lanka risked losing its long-standing competitive advantage unless it rapidly upgraded its logistics and investment ecosystem.
He noted that nearly 80 percent of Colombo Port’s business depended on transshipment, with India accounting for almost half that volume while aggressively expanding its own port capacity.
“If Sri Lanka fails to invest and improve efficiency, competitors will overtake us, Herath cautioned.
He argued that attracting FDI was no longer simply about offering incentives but about creating a predictable business environment built on policy consistency, regulatory certainty, efficient institutions and investor confidence.
Herath also highlighted Sri Lanka’s global strengths in apparel manufacturing, tyre exports and logistics, saying these industries demonstrated the country’s ability to compete internationally.
International investment strategist Lakshan Madurasinghe, Chief Executive Officer of SolutionsGround (Pvt.) Ltd and former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka, said Sri Lanka must fundamentally rethink the way it markets itself to global investors.
While welcoming the country’s ambitious investment targets, he noted that actual inflows remained well below expectations.
“The first investment is important. The second, third and fourth investments are what truly measure investor confidence, he said.
Madurasinghe proposed a three-point framework—Positioning, Showing Up and Disruption (PSD)—to reposition Sri Lanka in the global investment marketplace.
He called for a single national investment brand backed by the President, government institutions, overseas missions, the private sector and the Sri Lankan diaspora.
“Every stakeholder must communicate one consistent message to the world. Investors must clearly understand why Sri Lanka is different and why they should choose us, he said.
He also urged authorities to improve investor facilitation, strengthen aftercare services and pursue innovative investment channels, including family offices, strategic partnerships and non-traditional FDI sources.
The forum concluded that Sri Lanka possesses significant structural advantages—including its strategic location, skilled workforce and expanding Port City—but these strengths must be supported by consistent policies, transparent governance and coordinated national promotion if the country is to achieve its ambition of becoming a leading regional investment, financial and services hub.
By Ifham Nizam
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.
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