The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has been recognized as the Best SME Bank in Sri Lanka for the third straight year by Global Finance, reflecting its strong performance and initiatives aimed at supporting SMEs. In related news, activists continue to advocate for justice regarding the Easter Sunday attacks, and Indian PM Modi’s official visit to Sri Lanka has been announced. Additionally, COPE is investigating irregular drug importation practices involving a private company, raising concerns about regulatory compliance in health services.
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has been awarded the title of Best SME Bank in Sri Lanka for 2025 by Global Finance, marking the third consecutive year it has achieved this recognition. Global Finance selects the best banks based on both objective criteria and subjective assessments of their services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Alongside Commercial Bank, notable banks recognized include Bank of America (USA), Lloyds Bank (UK), Commerzbank (Germany), Credit Agricole (France), and others from countries such as Japan, Singapore, India, and Bangladesh. This highlights the competitive landscape of SME banking on a global scale.
Commercial Bank has seen significant growth in its SME portfolio, which has enhanced its market share within the overall advances portfolio. This upturn is a result of the sector’s diversification and the tailored products and services offered to SMEs.
Recent initiatives by Commercial Bank include the introduction of the ‘Commercial Bank LEAP GlobalLinker’ and ‘ComBank Trade Club’, both designed to help SMEs access international markets. The LEAP GlobalLinker, powered by an international business platform, has onboarded over 13,000 businesses and set up 700 e-stores to facilitate market penetration.
In a separate event, activists have urged Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to implement the recommendations from the Special Presidential Commission that investigated the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. They argue that it has been too long without justice for victims and that timely actions would reflect the government’s commitment to accountability.
In other news, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka has been formally announced, where he will engage in bilateral discussions with Sri Lankan leadership. His itinerary includes visiting significant cultural sites and inaugurating various projects funded by India.
Meanwhile, the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) is investigating irregularities in drug importation involving a private company, Savorite, which was accused of receiving Waiver of Registration certificates without proper evaluation by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority. Findings indicate a lack of adherence to regulatory standards and a need for accountability within the Ministry of Health concerning recent drug shortages.
In summary, the Commercial Bank of Ceylon’s recognition as Best SME Bank underscores its strong support for small businesses through innovative initiatives. Concurrently, ongoing demands for justice regarding the Easter Sunday attacks reflect civil society’s push for accountability. Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi’s forthcoming visit signifies the importance of Sri-Lanka-India relations, while COPE’s investigation into drug supply irregularities highlights the need for regulatory compliance in the health sector.
Original Source: island.lk
