Commercial Bank of Ceylon has recorded a significant milestone under Sri Lanka’s National Credit Guarantee Scheme after receiving the 2,000th credit guarantee issued by the National Credit Guarantee Institution Limited (NCGIL).
The milestone recognises Commercial Bank’s contribution to the national programme, with the bank recording the highest cumulative loan disbursement among participating financial institutions.
Commercial Bank has provided financing to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the country through the scheme, including targeted support for women-owned businesses through ‘Liya Shakthi’, a specialised initiative introduced by NCGIL.
The bank has secured approximately 600 guarantees, representing close to one-third of all facilities provided under the National Credit Guarantee Scheme. Loans disbursed under these guarantees have reached approximately Rs. 2.97 billion, highlighting the bank’s focus on expanding access to finance for smaller businesses.
Supporting Entrepreneurs Beyond Traditional Lending
Commenting on the achievement, S. Ganeshan, Deputy General Manager – Personal Banking at Commercial Bank, said the milestone demonstrated both the strength of the national credit guarantee framework and the potential of entrepreneurs across Sri Lanka.
He said the bank remains focused on broadening access to finance through partnerships and financing solutions designed around the needs of businesses, rather than relying solely on conventional lending models.
Ganeshan added that Commercial Bank’s approach extends beyond providing capital, with advisory services, capacity-building initiatives and financial inclusion programmes also aimed at helping SMEs achieve sustainable growth and generate longer-term economic value.
Sri Lanka Reiterates Commitment to a Secure, Inclusive and Transformative Digital Future for Asia-Pacific
Sri Lanka has reaffirmed its commitment to building an inclusive, secure, people-centred and digitally connected Asia-Pacific, with Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Thailand and Permanent Representative to ESCAP, H.E. Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, highlighting the country’s digital transformation priorities at the 5th Session of the Committee on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) of ESCAP.
The session was held in Bangkok from 2 to 4 September 2026, where Ambassador Edirisinghe outlined Sri Lanka’s efforts to use digital transformation, science, technology and innovation as important drivers of sustainable development, economic advancement and shared prosperity across the region.
She stressed that digital transformation should remain focused on people and ensure that citizens from all segments of society can access essential services, participate in the digital economy and benefit from technological progress. In this context, she highlighted Sri Lanka’s Digital Economy Strategy and Blueprint 2025–2030, which places digital inclusion among the key pillars of the country’s transformation agenda.
Sri Lanka also emphasized the growing importance of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in widening access to financial, educational and government services while enabling greater participation in the digital economy. Ambassador Edirisinghe noted that digital transformation must be built on trust and supported by strong cybersecurity, data protection and privacy safeguards. She pointed to Sri Lanka’s ongoing work in personal data protection, public-sector digital interoperability and the development of electronic commerce.
The Ambassador also outlined Sri Lanka’s focus on strengthening science, technology and innovation through closer cooperation between research institutions, universities and industry. These efforts include University Business Linkage and Institutional Business Linkage initiatives, together with Technology and Innovation Support Centers that provide access to intellectual property and technology-transfer services.
On regional cooperation, Sri Lanka welcomed initiatives under the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway (APIS) aimed at strengthening digital connectivity and expressed its support for the proposed APIS Action Plan 2027–2030.
National Credit Guarantee Institution Marks Milestone with 2,000th Credit Guarantee Issued to Commercial Bank
