Business

BOC chair optimistic about notable economic growth in 2022

Published

4 years ago

2022/01/4

The launch of BOC Fuel Card. Ms. Ramya Ranaweera , Director Finance, Hovel Holdings receives the first fuel card from BOC Management. -Pics by Saman Ranaweera

by Sanath Nanayakkare

Bank of Ceylon Chairman Kanchana Ratwatte expects that growth will rebound in 2022 with three primary elements as drivers of the economy, moving forward.

According to his predictions, Sri Lanka should see notable rebound in earnings from tourism, SME sector businesses and foreign remittances.

Speaking at an event held at its Head Office In Colombo yesterday with a multi-religious ceremony to invoke blessings on the staff of the bank, all its customers and all Sri Lankans in general, Ratwatte said, “I see a rainbow on the horizon. Sri Lanka should see a significant rebound in the tourism sector, small and medium enterprises (SME) sector and the country’s foreign remittances base in the first half of the year. The Bank of Ceylon stood as a tower of strength during the Covid-19 pandemic for nearly two years supporting to hold the national economy in place, and will unwaveringly continue to do so until the country gets back to normalcy,” he said.

The following are some excerpts from his speech.

“Today signifies a momentous day in my life. Two years ago, I assumed duties as chairman of this giant organisation which comprises a family strongly bonded with one another. I regard being able to serve for BOC as a great fortune in my life.”

“In the past two years despite challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, BOC was able to give promotions to its employees in compliance with the due process. Also, we absorbed the trainees who had successfully concluded their training into our permanent carder. We were able to give promotions from junior executive ranks up to the echelon of general manager amid the pandemic chaos as a recognition for their dedication and loyalty towards the bank.”

“Most notably, we were able to successfully complete the official process in signing the collective agreement with the trade unions of the bank providing the basis for sound relations between the management and employees.”

“With that said, our happy workforce is not solely because of those motivations but also because of the positive work environment which encourages collaboration and communication; which is a unique feature of the BOC family.”

“BOC’s improved strategies to counter the pandemic saw significant resilience in its foreign remittances base. In 2019, remittances stood at USD 2.5 billion for BOC. In 2020, we managed to reach USD 2.8 billion. Despite the ongoing external challenges, this year we have crossed the USD 3.5 billion benchmark of remittances.”

“We thought the pandemic’s vulnerable conditions would be an opportune moment to launch and implement the BOC Export Circle to support the SME sector to revive the battered businesses and help take the surviving ones to the next level. Last year, BOC placed special emphasis on the revival of businesses through Export Circle.. Thus a revival unit was established to rekindle the businesses hit by the pandemic. I am proud to say that many of these companies have stayed afloat and the BOC has been able to turn around almost Rs. 35 billion worth of assets through this exercise. I see a few smiling faces here who have been served by the Revival Unit of the BOC.”

“BOC managed to overcome most of the issues the pandemic introduced to us out of the blue by ensuring seamless online banking services for our customers. However, most employees reported to work upon ensuring minimised impact of the pandemic on them.”

BOC Chairman Kanchana Ratwatte, General Manager/CEO K.E.D Sumanasiri and CFO Russel Fonseka inaugurate the BOC SME Circle at the BOC Head Office in Colombo yesterday.

Talking about external sector challenges, he said,””A 20-foot container of a particular item that came from Shanghai via Singapore for USD 900 in 2019, costs USD 8000 today. The prices of wheat and petroleum have surged among other commodities. Today a litre of petroleum in India is 104 Indian rupees. It is about LKR 270. The State is still subsidising petroleum products. Has the consumption gone down at current prices? No, it hasn’t. Despite the lockdowns, usage of petroleum increased. Letters of Credit (LCs) opened by the BOC for petroleum imports grew by 20% despite Coronavirus lockdowns. These should be factored into the current situation.”

Talking about revenue from Tourism, he said,” Up to 2019 prior to Easter Sunday attacks, Tourism generated a minimum of USD 4.5 billion. As a result of the pandemic, Tourism sector had to be looked after by other sectors. It was a double whammy on the economy. In contrast, now I see a bright side emerging as more than 200,000 tourists arrived in the country last year.”

“The livelihoods of Sri Lankan migrant workers came to a complete standstill for two years due to travel restrictions imposed globally. Now we see the encouraging trend of them going back to their overseas jobs as well as students going abroad for higher education. On a daily basis, the BOC gets requests from customers to remit amounts ranging from USD 2500 – 20,000 for their children’s higher education requirements. We oblige with that segment of customers regardless of which bank they initially banked with.”

“BOC reached rupees one trillion in its asset base in 2012 – the equivalent of a USD 5 billion worth company when converting the currency at LKR 200 per US dollar. In 2018, it reached two trillion making it a USD 10 billion worth company. In March 2021, we reached the 3 trillion mark which made it a USD 15 billion company. I am proud to say that every year we will be adding USD 5 billion to the asset base of BOC. By next year, we should be a USD 20 billion company. This is the strength on which we continue to serve our customers and the nation at large. Dear customers, let me tell you that BOC is resilient and strong enough to hold the economy until the country gets back to normalcy,” he said.

Emphasising the importance of encouraging Sri Lankan SME and Micro entrepreneurs, the Bank also launched BOC SME Circle yesterday.

In addition to that the Bank launched the BOC Fuel Card. The BOC fuel top-up card is designed to be beneficial to customers who face the hassle in managing their fuel expenses. The card is offered to corporate entities, fleet operators and individuals to add convenience to their daily operations.

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Business

Fifty ninth ADB Annual Meet opens in Samarkand amid global uncertainty

Published

17 hours ago

2026/05/4

Thilina Walpola

Guests from member countries of the ADB arrive at the venue for the 59th Annual Meeting of the Bank in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, yesterday

The 59th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors is set to commence this week, bringing together finance ministers, central bank governors, policymakers and development leaders from across Asia and beyond at a time of mounting global economic and geopolitical uncertainty.

Addressing journalists ahead of the opening sessions, Bernard Woods, Principal Director of the Department of Communications, said the meetings were beginning at a pivotal moment for the world, with fuel markets, food security and fertilizer supply chains coming under strain due to tensions in the Middle East.

He noted that amid rising political and economic fragmentation, regional connections and stronger collaboration have become more important than ever. Against that backdrop, the key sessions and high-level discussions in Samarkand will focus on building collective resilience and strengthening cooperation among member countries.

Among the major themes expected to dominate the agenda are cross-border digital connectivity, cyber security, energy integration, capital market development, transport corridors and the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence to improve resilience and productivity in member economies. Woods also said discussions would examine how resources can be distributed more effectively to meet the unique development priorities of each country.

The official programme features a series of strategic seminars and media events over four days. The opening session of the Board of Governors will include addresses by high profile authorities and subject experts.

Other key sessions include discussions on how capital markets can drive development across Asia and the Pacific, scaling up investments for critical minerals and manufacturing value chains, digital highways for inclusive growth, and pan-Asia transport and power connectivity initiatives.

ADB President Kanda is also scheduled to hold a press conference to announce major new initiatives, while several technical briefings will examine global value chains, private sector operations, digital transformation and regional energy cooperation.

With global shocks increasingly spilling across borders, the Samarkand meeting is expected to underline a central message: that regional cooperation, practical partnerships and timely investment remain essential for sustaining growth and stability across Asia and the Pacific.

By Sanath Nanayakkare in Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Business

Nations Trust Bank completes transfer of HSBC Sri Lanka’s Retail Banking Business to its portfolio

Published

18 hours ago

2026/05/4

Thilina Walpola

Nations Trust Bank PLC (NTB) has announced that the transfer of Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation’s (HSBC) Retail Banking business in Sri Lanka to NTB has officially been completed, with the acquired portfolio transitioning to NTB effective 1st May 2026.

NTB has integrated HSBC Sri Lanka’s retail banking customers into its operations, ensuring continuity of service and relationship management. The transition also includes the onboarding of HSBC Sri Lanka staff as part of the integration process. The transition has been carried out with a focus on operational stability and minimal disruption, with ongoing support in place as customers familiarise themselves with their banking arrangements at NTB.

The migration brings approximately 200,000 retail customer accounts under NTB, encompassing savings and current accounts, fixed deposits, credit and debit cards, retail loans and a high‑net‑worth customer segment that now joins Nations Trust Bank Private Banking. Through this transfer, Nations Trust Bank’s countrywide network expands to 96 branches. The transition adds seven branches to the network, with locations in Bambalapitiya, Flower Road, Union Place, and Pelawatte operating as dedicated Private Banking Centres, while three other branches are located in Nugegoda, Jaffna, and Kandy.

To support customers during the transition period, NTB has ensured that multiple access points and support channels remain available. Customers may continue to bank through the nearest NTB branch, contact NTB’s 24-hour Help Desk via +94 11 441 4151, and access digital banking services through the Nations Direct mobile app. Dedicated transfer‑related information and FAQs are also available at https://migration.nationstrust.com

Additionally, arrangements were made to extend branch support across two weekends as part of the transition programme.

Business

Amana Takaful named Sri Lanka’s Most Awarded Insurance Company

Published

18 hours ago

2026/05/4

Thilina Walpola

(L) Siva Karthigun, Chief Executive Officer – General and Gehan Rajapakse, Chief Executive Officer – Life

Amana Takaful Insurance has been recognized as Sri Lanka’s Most Awarded Insurance Company for 2026 by LMD Magazine, marking its third consecutive year of achievement. This recognition reflects the company’s consistent focus on delivering value across both its Life and General businesses, supported by customer-centric solutions, operational discipline, and continued innovation.

Over the years, Amana Takaful has strengthened its market position by enhancing service delivery, investing in digital capabilities, and expanding access to insurance solutions for a wider segment of Sri Lankans.

Commenting on the recognition, Siva Karthigun, Chief Executive Officer – General, stated: “This recognition reflects the discipline and focus we maintain across our operations to deliver consistent outcomes for our customers. Our continued investments in process improvements, digital capabilities, and service excellence have enabled us to strengthen our responsiveness and reliability, ensuring we meet the evolving expectations of our customers across all touchpoints.”

Commenting further, Gehan Rajapakse, Chief Executive Officer – Life, stated: “This recognition reflects the consistency of our efforts in delivering meaningful value to our customers, while continuously strengthening our capabilities across both Life and General businesses. As we move forward, our focus remains on enhancing accessibility, leveraging digital innovation, and ensuring our solutions remain relevant to the evolving needs of Sri Lankans, while maintaining the highest standards of service and reliability.”

Notably, a significant portion of these awards were received for digital excellence, underscoring the company’s continued progress in its digital transformation journey. Amana Takaful’s investments in technology-driven solutions, process automation, and enhanced digital customer experiences have played a key role in strengthening accessibility, efficiency, and service delivery across both Life and General businesses.

The recognition further reinforces Amana Takaful’s standing within the industry, highlighting its ability to sustain performance and adapt in a dynamic environment. For Every Sri Lankan, as one.