Business

People’s Bank celebrates its 60th anniversary

Published

5 years ago

2021/07/4

30th June 2021, Colombo:

On the 1stJuly 2021, People’s Bank celebrated its 60th anniversary on 1st of July 2021 marking a period during which it revolutionized the Sri Lankan banking industry by taking innovative banking to touch the lives of even the most grass root level customers who had had been largely overlooked by the industry.

During the past 60 years, the bank has always strived to understand its customers’ needs and was able to use new technology and innovative products to meet those needs. It is this approach that has won them Sri Lanka’s largest customer base of over 14 million.

People’s Bank was established under Act No. 29 of1961 with the aim of uplifting the corporate business and rural banking systems. This Act was submitted to Parliament by then Minister of Trade, Food, Co-operatives and Shipping,T. B. Illangaratne, during the regime of Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. Vincent Subasinghe was the first Chairman of People’s Bank; he was a pioneer in providing banking services to the corporate sector.

In an era when banking services were limited to English speaking upper end of the society,

It was the establishment of People’s Bank that changed that phenomenon, by starting to work in Sinhala and Tamil.

Right from the inception, the bank started working towards its mission to serve the masses. Accordingly, People’s Bank has introduced many firsts to the country such as agriculture loans, Pawning, SME loans, Women’s Savings Accounts and Children’s Savings Accounts to name few. Most of these product concepts were so widely embraced by the society, that almost all the local commercial banks are now offering them under different brand names.

Currently, People’s Bank is one of Sri Lanka’s largest financial institutions, boasting over Rs.2.3 trillion in assets. Its network of 741 branches/service centres is the country’s largest. The bank also possesses a network of over 250 Self Banking Units operating 24/7 all 365 days of the year. This enormous network has enables the people to get their banking done safely, securely and with ease of accessibility.

Speaking at a 60th anniversary celebratory event, the Chairman of the People’s Bank Mr. Sujeewa Rajapakse stated “Marking a turning point in the Sri Lanka banking sector, People’s Bank was established on 1st July 1961. Today, we celebrate the 60th anniversary with much pride. As a reputed state bank, People’s Bank not only provides state-of-the-art financial facilities but also renders their services to uplift the social economy. As a state bank, People’s Bank’s objectives transcend beyond mere profits and the main focus has always been the country’s development. Hence many a time we have provided financial facilities for exports, education, health, expressways and tourism infrastructure.

People’s Bank has always come forward to shoulder the societal responsibilities and even the current COVID-19 pandemic is no different. We are very much a part of this nation and this is why the country in turn considers us as the pride of the nation”.

Ranjith Kodituwakku – Chief Executive Officer and General Manager, People’s Bank also commented “From the inception, People’s Bank was open to the common man instead of just one strata of the society. Although the bank was catering the mass market, that did not prevent it from being innovative and technology oriented. This is why People’s Bank expanded rapidly in terms of network, financial performance, product portfolio and brand value. Furthermore, People’s Bank has greatly supported the country’s socio-economic development. People’s Bank continues to introduce new banking technology to the financial sector and to its customers in order to establisher stronger relationships with them. We look to pioneer modern banking solutions in the future as well”.

While the bank initially focused on rural sectors and cooperative movements, since then the bank has evolved and is currently offering a range of products to support their customer’s standards of living. The loan schemes on offer include, Personal Loans, Housing Loans, Professional Loans, Educational Loans and Vehicle Loans. Furthermore, People’s Bank from time to time has introduced special loans schemes to assist farming and fishing communities especially to revive the country’s economy after challenging times.

Adapting to the modern world, the People’s Bank launched a digital banking project in 2015, to ensure that their customers could transact easily, safely and efficiently. People’s Bank was the first bank in the island that took steps to undertake a comprehensive digital transformation project covering major part of its operations. As a result People’s Bank now provides a world class digital banking experience to all its customers.

For example, People’s Bank has enabled customers to open an account paperless in as short a time as 10 minutes. As another key component of the digitization journey, People’s Bank introduced People’s Wave mobile banking App for customers to transact any time of the day using their mobile phone without having to go to a bank branch and this has become the most downloaded app in Sri Lanka. Also, People’s Wiz Loan Originating System has enabled the bank to grant personal loans within 24-hours.

In addition, a mobile app was specially introduced to institutional customers called People’s Wyn. Online banking facilities targeting both retail and corporate customers were introduced in 2018.

In recognition of the unparallel contribution made by the People’s Bank towards betterment of the country, banking industry and customers, it has been recognized with many an award both locally and internationally over last several years. Recently the Bank won multiple awards from leading institutes such as The Asian Banker magazine (Sri Lanka’s Best Retail Bank & Sri Lanka’s Best Digital Bank in 2021″ and Asia Money magazine (Best Domestic Bank and Best Digital Bank in Sri Lanka in 2020). Additionally, The Banker Magazine named People’s Bank as one of the top 1000 banks. Locally, People’s Bank has won “Banking Services Provider of the Year” award at SLIM Nielson awards for 15 consecutive years.

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Business

Redefining Industry Standards: Home Lands Group Emerges as Sri Lanka’s Premier Force in Lifestyle and Developer Leadership

Published

12 hours ago

2026/01/19

Thilina Walpola

At a time when Sri Lanka’s property landscape is experiencing rapid transformation, one organisation continues to define the direction of the market through scale, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to quality. At the 2025 PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Sri Lanka), the Home Lands Group of Companies maintained its place at the peak of the industry, acquiring two of the most influential awards of the year: Best Developer for the Group and Best Lifestyle Developer for Home Lands Skyline (Private) Limited.

These distinctions signify more than just project-level success. They reflect the organisation’s leadership in shaping how Sri Lankans aspire to live, work, and invest.

The Home Lands Group has built a broad presence throughout Sri Lanka’s most active corridors, from the rapidly evolving suburbs of Colombo to the developing lifestyle hubs of Negombo, Malabe, and Kahathuduwa, guided by extensive market research. The Group has transformed its in-depth knowledge of the property market into a portfolio of assets embodying superior residential living experiences, supported by strategically located branches that deliver an integrated suite of real estate services for buyers nationwide.

Home Lands Skyline, the Group’s flagship development arm and the 2025 Best Lifestyle Developer, is responsible for this on-ground reach. The company was commended for shaping communities through visionary residential environments and for its ability to combine cutting-edge sustainability with expansive lifestyle amenities. With 19 completed projects, including the largest integrated golf community in Sri Lanka and nine sustainable developments, Home Lands Skyline keeps raising the bar for efficiency, design, and placemaking.

Both ambition and operational strength are evident in its recent accomplishments. The company completed a number of landmark projects such as Elixia 3C’s Apartments, Santorini Resort Apartments & Residencies, and the 1,200-unit Canterbury Golf Resort Apartments & Residencies, which has more than 50 resort amenities that meet international standards and the nation’s first day-and-night golf course. In addition, the Group’s remarkable 58% market share earned it the title of Sri Lanka’s Most Preferred Residential Real Estate Brand in the RIU Brand Health Survey.

This growth is supported by a sustainability-first philosophy. The company incorporates environmental responsibility into every stage of development, from modular construction, renewable energy integration, and ethical sourcing throughout its supply chain to passive design principles that improve natural light and ventilation. This dedication is demonstrated by its Platinum Award at the CIOB Green Awards 2024.

The Home Lands Group is at the forefront of creating new lifestyle expectations as demand for well-planned, resort-style communities rises. In addition to confirming past achievements, the Group’s 2025 victories at the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Sri Lanka) indicate a trajectory of ongoing leadership, positioning it as a transformative force in the future of Sri Lankan real estate.

Business

Cheaper credit expected to drive Sri Lanka’s business landscape in 2026

Published

12 hours ago

2026/01/19

Thilina Walpola

The Central Bank has reported data points that help stimulate private sector investment in 2026.

The opening weeks of 2026 are offering a glimmer of cautious hope for the business community weary from years of economic turbulence and steep financing costs. The Central Bank’s latest weekly economic indicators signal more than just macroeconomic stability. They point to early signs of a long-awaited trend; a measurable dip in borrowing costs.

“If sustained, this shift could transform steady growth into a robust, investment-led expansion,” a senior economist told The Island Financial Review.

The benchmark Average Weighted Prime Lending Rate (AWPR) declined by 21 basis points to 8.98% for the week ending 16 January, according to the Central Bank.

“For entrepreneurs and CEOs, this is not just another statistic. It could mean the difference between postponing an expansion and hiring new staff. Across boardrooms, the hope is that this marks the start of a sustained downward trend that holds through 2026,” he said.

When asked about the instances where Treasury Bills are not fully subscribed by the investors, he replied,” Treasury Bill yields remained broadly stable, with only minimal movement across 91-day, 182-day, and 364-day tenors. Strong demand was clear, with the latest T-Bill auction oversubscribed by about 3.5 times. This sovereign-level stability creates room for the gradual easing of commercial lending rates, allowing the Central Bank to nurture a more growth-supportive monetary policy.”

Replying to a question on how he views the inflation numbers in this context, he said, “The year-on-year increase in the National Consumer Price Index stood at a manageable 2.4% in November, with core inflation at 2.2%. Such an environment should allow interest rates to fall without sparking a price spiral. For businesses, it means the real cost of borrowing adjusted for inflation, and it is becoming more favourable for them. While consumers still face weekly price shifts in vegetables and fish, the broader disinflation trend gives policymakers leeway to keep credit affordable.”

Referring to the growth trajectory, he mentioned, “With GDP growth provisionally at 5.4% in the third quarter of 2025 and Purchasing Managers’ Indices signalling expansion in both manufacturing and services, the economy is in a growth phase. However, to accelerate this momentum businesses need capital at lower cost to modernise machinery, boost export capacity, and spur innovation. Affordable credit is, therefore, not merely helpful, it is essential to shift growth into a higher gear.”

In conclusion , he said,” The coming months will be watched closely, because for Sri Lankan businesses, a sustained decline in borrowing costs isn’t just an indicator; it’s the foundation for growth. There’s hope that this easing in the cost of money will prevail through most of the year.”

By Sanath Nanayakkare ✍️

Business

Mercantile Investments expands to 90 branches, backed by strong growth

Published

13 hours ago

2026/01/19

Thilina Walpola

Mercantile Investments & Finance PLC has expanded its national footprint to 90 branches with a new opening in Tangalle, reinforcing its commitment to community accessibility. The trusted non-bank financial institution, with over 60 years of service, now supports diverse communities across Sri Lanka with leasing, deposits, gold loans, and tailored lending.

This physical expansion aligns with significant financial growth. The company recently surpassed an LKR 100 billion asset base, with its lending portfolio doubling to Rs. 75 billion and deposits growing to Rs. 51 billion, reflecting strong customer trust. It maintains a low NPL ratio of 4.65%.

Chief Operating Officer Laksanda Gunawardena stated the branch network is vital for building trust, complemented by ongoing digital investments. Managing Director Gerard Ondaatjie linked the growth to six decades of safeguarding depositor interests.

With strategic plans extending to 2027, Mercantile Investments aims to convert its scale into sustained competitive advantage, supporting both customers and Sri Lanka’s economic progress.