Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC has made history as the first bank in Sri Lanka to collaborate with Google and Visa, a global leader in digital payments, to enable Google Pay for its cardholders with the launch of Google Wallet in the country. This landmark initiative sets a new benchmark for secure, convenient, and contactless digital payments in Sri Lanka.
Commercial Bank is currently the only bank in the local market to offer Google Pay to its Visa cardholders, giving customers a significant first-mover advantage with a globally recognised mobile payment solution. The collaboration brings together Visa’s trusted global network and advanced tokenization technology, Google’s secure and intuitive interface, and Commercial Bank’s robust digital banking ecosystem.
Visa debit and credit cardholders of Commercial Bank can now seamlessly add their cards to Google Wallet, authenticate via a one-time password (OTP) or call centre verification, and make secure, contactless payments using their NFC-enabled Android smartphones. Payments can be made with a simple tap at any contactless-enabled Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal, locally and globally, wherever Visa is accepted, eliminating the need to carry physical cards or cash.
To enhance security, Commercial Bank has partnered with IDEMIA for tokenization, leveraging Visa Token Service (VTS). Tokenization replaces the actual 16-digit card number with a unique digital token, ensuring sensitive card details are never shared with merchants or stored on the device. The solution is further supported by the payment infrastructure of Euronet, the Bank’s card switch provider, ensuring reliable and secure transaction processing.
Commenting on the launch, Sanath Manatunge, Managing Director/CEO of Commercial Bank, said:
"Partnering with Visa and Google marks a significant milestone in our commitment to elevating digital payment experiences for our customers. As Sri Lanka’s largest private sector bank, this collaboration strengthens our ability to deliver seamless, secure, and contactless transactions anytime, anywhere. By embracing global innovations such as tokenization, Commercial Bank continues to lead Sri Lanka’s transition towards a cashless, technologically enabled financial ecosystem, bringing world-class digital solutions to consumers and businesses alike."
Avanthi Colombage, Country Manager – Sri Lanka and Maldives, Visa, added:
"Visa is pleased to collaborate with Commercial Bank of Ceylon and Google to introduce Google Pay to Sri Lanka. This launch represents a defining moment for the country’s payments landscape, empowering consumers with a faster, more convenient, and secure payment experience using just a smartphone. By combining Visa’s trusted global network and advanced tokenization technology with Google’s intuitive interface and Commercial Bank’s strong local presence, we are shaping the next chapter of digital payments—built on security, trust, convenience, and interoperability at scale."
Korea–Sri Lanka Investment Facilitation Forum Bridges Korean Innovation with Sri Lankan Growth
In a significant step toward strengthening bilateral trade and investment cooperation, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, in collaboration with the Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka and the Korean Businessmen’s Association, hosted the Korea–Sri Lanka Investment Facilitation Forum on 14 November 2025 at the Courtyard by Marriott, Colombo.
The forum was attended by Her Excellency Miyon Lee, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, and Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development of Sri Lanka, underscoring the high-level commitment of both nations to deepening economic engagement.
Addressing the gathering, Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe reaffirmed the Sri Lankan Government’s commitment to fostering an investment-friendly environment, as outlined in the 2026 Budget Speech. He encouraged Korean companies to establish regional head offices and production facilities in Sri Lanka and highlighted the Government’s ambition to develop a South Korean business hub within the Port City, creating enhanced opportunities for Korean investors and strengthening bilateral collaboration.
Representing the Korean business community, the forum brought together Yeunkook Chung, Chairman of the Korean Businessmen’s Association; Park Sung Kun, Vice Chairman; and Lee Kyungseok, Director of KOTRA, who moderated the sessions. On behalf of Sri Lanka, Arjuna Herath, Chairman of the BOI, and Renuka M. Weerakone, Director General of the BOI, led discussions with participants.
The forum convened Korean business representatives alongside officials from over 20 Sri Lankan line ministries, providing a platform for companies already operating in Sri Lanka to highlight operational challenges and procedural bottlenecks. Prospective investors also engaged in dialogue to better understand market entry processes and investment opportunities. The discussions aimed to further enhance the investment climate and strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.
In her closing remarks, Ambassador Miyon Lee expressed appreciation to all participants and acknowledged the progress made by the Government of Sri Lanka in improving the investment environment. She noted, however, that further improvements could be achieved, particularly in policy clarity, transparency, and timely decision-making.
The Korea–Sri Lanka Investment Facilitation Forum 2025 concluded on a positive note, reaffirming the shared commitment of both nations to deepen economic ties and create an enabling environment for future investment. The Embassy of the Republic of Korea and the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka reiterated their readiness to continue collaborative efforts to unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth.
Visa and Commercial Bank Pioneer the Next Evolution of Digital Payments in Sri Lanka with Google Pay for Cardholders
