Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) continue to play a pivotal role in driving Sri Lanka’s economy through employment generation, regional development, entrepreneurship, and income distribution.
Recognising the importance of this sector, People’s Bank further strengthened its commitment to MSME development in 2025 by expanding its MSME business volume to LKR 20.8 billion, reinforcing its role as a key partner in the country’s economic recovery and long-term growth.
As one of Sri Lanka’s leading state-owned commercial banks, People’s Bank has positioned MSME development as a long-term strategic priority aligned with the Government’s national development agenda.
With its extensive island-wide branch network and deep understanding of local economies, People’s Bank continues to empower entrepreneurs across urban, rural, and underserved communities, contributing significantly towards financial inclusion and regional economic development.
During 2025, the Bank recorded several notable achievements in the MSME sector. The MSME customer base increased by 15.2%, while MSME business volume reached LKR 20.8 billion. ‘Green Power Loan’ granted facilities amounting to LKR 6.9 billion, reflecting the Bank’s growing support for renewable energy and sustainable development initiatives. In addition, the ‘People’s Power Loan’ recorded a significant growth of 74.6% within a year of its commencement, demonstrating strong demand from entrepreneurs and small businesses across the country.
In line with national economic priorities, People’s Bank directed financial support towards several key sectors vital to Sri Lanka’s economic progress. These included agriculture and agribusiness, manufacturing and value-added production, renewable energy projects, trade and services, tourism, and related industries.
A considerable proportion of beneficiaries comprised start-ups, youth entrepreneurs, micro enterprises, and women-led businesses, underscoring the Bank’s commitment to inclusive and equitable economic growth. Women entrepreneurs, in particular, were further supported through dedicated refinance schemes and financial literacy programmes aimed at strengthening business capabilities and long-term sustainability.
Fairfirst Recognised at Great Manager Awards 2025
Fairfirst Insurance continued its strong focus on leadership development by earning recognition at the Great Manager Awards 2025, organised by the Colombo Leadership Academy.
The company was also recognised as an organisation with Great Managers for the sixth consecutive year, reflecting its sustained commitment to building a workplace culture where employees are empowered to grow, take ownership, and lead with purpose. The Great Manager Awards honour organisations that prioritise effective people management and create environments where teams can perform, collaborate, and continuously evolve.
Fairfirst’s consistent recognition highlights its belief that strong leadership is built on trust, accountability, and a shared sense of responsibility across teams. The achievement further reinforces its ongoing investment in developing people-centric leadership capabilities across the organisation.
Among this year’s award recipients, several leaders were individually recognised for their contributions. Madhava Hettiarachchi was recognised as a Millennial Manager, while Harshana Kumbukage and Shalini Jeganathan were recognised for Aligning Organisational Vision.
Further recognitions included Dhananjaya Yapa and Saman Gunathilake for Building Team Effectiveness and Collaboration. Madhawa Perera was recognised for Leadership Integrity and a Holistic Approach, while Ravindu Fernando was acknowledged for Driving Results and Execution Excellence.
People’s Bank Expands MSME Business Volume to LKR 20.8 Billion in 2025
