Business
ComBank and Abans forge landmark partnership with POS and digital payments rollout
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon is to roll out a major point-of-sale (POS) and digital payments solution across the national retail network of Abans PLC – in a partnership that sets a new benchmark for bank–retailer collaborations in the country and underscores the Bank’s capacity to deliver enterprise-grade acquiring infrastructure.
This agreement will make Abans one of the leading digitally enabled retailers in Sri Lanka, with a network of over 400 outlets across the country, equipping its outlets to accept payments across all major international and domestic card schemes as well as QR payments, while seamlessly integrating with the company’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) and supply chain management (SCM) systems at the scale, security, interoperability, and resilience required by modern retail.
Commercial Bank’s merchant acquiring platform for Abans will encompass Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, JCB, LankaPay, and LankaQR, in addition to supporting international QR schemes such as WeChat Pay, Alipay and UnionPay, Visa QR, and Mastercard QR, all unified under a single framework that also includes the Bank’s Internet Payment Gateway. This omni-channel capability ensures that whether a customer pays in-store, online, or via mobile, transactions are processed through one consolidated system, simplifying reconciliation and enhancing transparency. Not only does the solution support card and QR payments, it is also capable of facilitating Easy Payment Plans (EPP), delivering a complete, future-ready digital payment experience for merchants and customers alike.
The 2,500 POS devices to be deployed are multi-functional, EMV-certified terminals that support contactless, chip, and magnetic stripe cards, as well as dynamic QR acceptance. Each unit is designed for high throughput environments and offers secure API connectivity to Abans’ ERP and SCM platforms. The result is real-time transaction capture, instant inventory updates, automated billing accuracy, and seamless digital recordkeeping across the chain’s retail footprint, the Bank said.
Commercial Bank’s systems are fully compliant with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS), incorporating point-to-point encryption, tokenisation, and layered fraud detection mechanisms. Continuous real-time monitoring, risk scoring, and anomaly alerts safeguard against fraud, while a dedicated incident response team ensures rapid resolution in line with defined service-level agreements.
“This partnership is a showcase of technology leadership,” S. Ganeshan, Deputy General Manager – Personal Banking of Commercial Bank said. “By delivering an integrated POS and digital payment solution of this scale, we are enabling Abans to transact with the highest levels of security, interoperability, and operational resilience. It is proof that Commercial Bank can architect complex payment ecosystems that match the needs of modern retail and align with the country’s digital future.”
Dr. S. Dubash, Director of the Abans Group added: “Our priority has always been to combine innovation with customer-centricity. This deployment gives our customers faster, safer, and more flexible payment choices while ensuring our back-end operations run with precision and efficiency. Partnering with Commercial Bank allows us to take a decisive step forward in digital retailing and reinforces our contribution to the national push towards a cashless economy.”
The collaboration also directly supports the government’s national vision of a cashless economy. By enabling millions of secure, traceable digital transactions at one of the country’s largest retail groups, Commercial Bank and Abans are advancing mass-scale adoption of digital payments, financial inclusion, and efficiency in consumer commerce.
By blending enterprise-grade payment technology, nationwide retail presence, and a shared vision of digital transformation, Commercial Bank and Abans have created a blueprint for future collaborations between banks and large corporates. This rollout redefines what is possible in merchant acquiring, marking a pivotal moment in Sri Lanka’s journey towards becoming a digitally empowered economy, the Bank said.
The first Sri Lankan bank with a market capitalisation exceeding US$ 1 billion, Commercial Bank was also the first bank in the country to be listed among the Top 1000 Banks of the World, and has the highest capital base among all Sri Lankan banks. The Bank is the largest private sector lender in Sri Lanka and the largest lender to the country’s SME sector. Commercial Bank is also a leader in digital innovation and is Sri Lanka’s first 100% carbon-neutral bank.
Commercial Bank operates a network of strategically located branches and automated machines island-wide, and has the widest international footprint among Sri Lankan banks, with 20 branches in Bangladesh, a fully-fledged Tier I Bank with a majority stake in the Maldives, a microfinance company in Myanmar, and a representative office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The Bank’s fully owned subsidiaries, CBC Finance Ltd. and Commercial Insurance Brokers (Pvt) Limited, also deliver a range of financial services via their own branch networks.
Business
SriLankan Airlines records revenue increase with AI and ML-powered Revenue Management System
SriLankan Airlines has recorded a revenue increase following the implementation of a next-generation, AI and Machine-Learning (ML) powered Origin and Destination (O&D) revenue management platform. The system enables dynamic pricing and smarter inventory optimisation, while delivering a superior passenger experience across all sales channels through real-time seat availability and predictive analytics.
Kshanaka Saparamadu, Head of Revenue Management at SriLankan Airlines, remarked, “Embracing the latest revenue management technology is a testament to our commitment to continuous innovation and digital transformation. With the introduction of PROS Revenue Management Advantage and Amadeus Revenue Availability and Active Valuation, we are not only refining our current processes but also positioning ourselves for long-term success in modern airline retailing, ensuring we stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry.”
Chamara Perera, Group Head of IT at SriLankan Airlines, added, “This transition to a dynamic, integrated revenue management system reflects our strategic focus on remaining agile in an increasingly competitive and fast-evolving airline industry. As the aviation sector undergoes rapid digital transformation, SriLankan Airlines is enhancing its ability to respond swiftly to market fluctuations and meet the evolving demands of today’s travelers.”
Powered by PROS’ AI-driven Revenue Management Advantage (RMA) and Amadeus Revenue Availability and Active Valuation (RAAV), the platform leverages AI algorithms and ML models to improve alignment of capacity and demand, optimise premium seat allocation and respond swiftly to market shifts. These capabilities deliver unmatched agility and scalability, boost yield and position SriLankan Airlines at the forefront of digital transformation in aviation.
Industry benchmarks show that O&D-based revenue optimisation models typically deliver a 3%-5% increase in passenger revenue, underscoring the new revenue management system as a key driver, among other strategic factors, to the 13% growth recorded by SriLankan Airlines during the first three quarters of the 2025-2026 financial year.
This initiative has not only enhanced SriLankan Airlines’ agility, scalability, and competitiveness in a dynamic global aviation market, but also strengthened collaboration between pricing, demand and flight analyst teams, earning two awards in the process. It was recognised with the Growth Catalyst Award at the Outperformer Customer Awards 2025 in Las Vegas by PROS, as well as the Silver Award in the AI and Data Science category at the National Project Management Excellence Awards 2025 in Colombo by the Project Management Institute Sri Lanka Chapter.
As SriLankan Airlines continues its modernisation journey, the new integrated revenue management platform will significantly improve SriLankan Airlines’ global market position, its ability to attract and retain high value connecting passengers, and competitiveness in the global aviation landscape.(SriLankan Airlines)
Business
CCC delegation completes prestigious International Trade Facilitation Programme
A delegation of 30 professionals from the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce recently completed a specialised residential training programme on International Trade Facilitation at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) in New Delhi.
Hosted by the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, a premier institution established under India’s Ministry of Commerce and widely regarded as a leading centre of excellence in international trade education and research, the programme also included engagements with several of India’s most prominent trade and diplomacy institutions. These included the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), the government authority responsible for shaping and implementing India’s foreign trade policy; the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, the country’s premier training institution for diplomats; the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), the apex body representing India’s exporting community; and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), one of India’s most influential industry associations. Together, these engagements offered participants valuable insights into how policy, diplomacy, and industry interact in a robust manner to facilitate trade and economic progress.
Over nine days, participants explored key aspects of global commerce, including the international trading system, trade negotiations, economic intelligence, trade finance, and emerging issues such as AI, cyber risk, and digital transformation.
The programme offered valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of international trade and the systems that support it, while highlighting ways in which chambers of commerce can further leverage their existing role in supporting businesses navigate global markets, contributing to policy discussions, and strengthen the broader trade ecosystem.
The programme was designed and overseen by Dr. Rohit Mehtani, Dean at IIFT and a widely respected expert in international trade diplomacy and negotiations, whose academic work and advisory experience have contributed to international trade discourse.
Business
LOLC Life Assurance hosts MDRT Summit & Recognition Night 2026 honouring top performers
LOLC Life Assurance recently hosted its MDRT Summit & Recognition Night 2026 at the Hilton Colombo Residences, celebrating its 2025 MDRT qualifiers while aspiring the team to achieve even greater milestones in the year ahead. The event brought together senior leadership and top performing advisors in a distinguished forum focused on recognising performance excellence, sharing industry insights, and setting the strategic direction for continued success.
In 2025, the Company produced 89 MDRT qualifiers, including six Court of the Table (COT) and two Top of the Table (TOT) achievers, along with one Lifetime MDRT member. Representing Agency and Bancassurance channels, these professionals demonstrate a strong commitment to delivering responsible financial guidance and long-term protection solutions to individuals and families across Sri Lanka.
The Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) is globally recognised as the benchmark of excellence in the life insurance and financial services profession. Membership is reserved for individuals who meet rigorous production targets and uphold strict ethical standards. Achieving MDRT status is widely regarded as a mark of credibility, trust, and advisory distinction.
Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Chandana L. Aluthgama, Executive Director and Principal Officer of LOLC Life Assurance stated, “It is with great pride that we recognise our MDRT qualifiers for their dedication, discipline, and integrity, which set a benchmark of excellence for our advisory force and reflect the customer-first values that define LOLC Life Assurance. These achievers deserve recognition not only for meeting targets or selling policies, but also for safeguarding families, empowering individuals to build their legacies, and supporting financial independence, providing certainty and confidence in an unpredictable world. In acknowledging their exceptional contributions, I congratulate all our MDRT qualifiers and am confident they will continue to deliver meaningful financial protection while creating lasting value for our clients and communities.”
Further echoing this sentiment, Mr. Jayantha Kalinga, Chief Operating Officer of LOLC Life Assurance added, “This Summit not only celebrates the outstanding performance of our MDRT achievers in 2025 but also acknowledges the resilience, consistency, and customer dedication demonstrated by our teams throughout the year. As we move forward, we will continue to strengthen capabilities through structured development initiatives, advanced training tools, and robust operational support, empowering our advisors to serve clients with confidence and professionalism while further expanding our MDRT presence in the years ahead.”
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