Bank of Ceylon Welcomes 2025 with Religious Ceremonies to Invoke Blessings

The moment BOC General Manager/CEO Mr. Russel Fonseka presents the ‘The Best SME Service Provider,’ award to BOC Chairman Mr. Kavinda de Zoysa

The Bank of Ceylon, Sri Lanka’s No. 1 Bank, commenced the new year 2025, jubilantly announcing its newest achievement being accorded recognition as ‘Bank of the Year – Sri Lanka 2024’ awarded by the prestigious The Banker magazine U.K.

The official January 1st event was held at the bank’s head office building with the patronage of the Chairman, Mr. Kavinda de Zoysa, and The General Manager/CEO, Mr. Russel Fonseka. Customers, Members of the bank’s Board of Directors, Corporate and Executive Management, staff, and well-wishers of the bank also gathered there for the occasion.

The proceedings began with a series of multi-religious sermons to invoke blessings on all stakeholders of the bank for the new year. This was followed by the ceremonious presenting of the plaque received in honour of being ‘Bank of the Year  Sri Lanka 2024’ from The Banker magazine U.K. by the General Manager, Mr. Russel Fonseka and the Chief Financial Officer, Mr. M.P. Ruwan Kumara, to the Chairman, Mr. Kavinda de Zoysa.

In addition to this accolade, the Chairman was presented with a distinguished award received at the People’s Excellency Awards 2024, organized by Iconic Awards. These included the title ‘The Best SME Service Provider,’ which highlight BOC’s unwavering dedication to providing exceptional banking services and supporting small and medium enterprises across the nation.

The event then continued with the launch of the bank’s newest initiative the ‘Ranliya Loan Scheme,’ designed to empower women entrepreneurs and the relaunch of BOC Youth Loan Scheme exclusively for young entrepreneurs. As a responsible corporate citizen and a trusted financial partner to all Sri Lankans, BOC continues to make steadfast strides toward fulfilling its commitment to society and the environment meaningfully through digitally-driven and inclusive banking.

For over 85 years, Bank of Ceylon has been a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s financial landscape, connecting individuals and businesses to global opportunities. BOC’s extensive network with over 2,300 touch points spread across the nation, ensures that bank’s customers have convenient access to a wide range of financial services. Moreover BOC was ranked as  the only Sri Lankan Bank among the Top 1000 World Banks 2024 and Bank of the Year 2021 and 2023 by The Banker Magazine UK, The Number 1 Banking Brand in Sri Lanka  by Brand Finance Lanka. BOC also received the People’s Banking Services Brand of the year at the SLIM KANTAR Peoples Awards 2024.Internationally, Bank of Ceylon has established a strong presence in key locations such as a Subsidiary in London, UK; branches in Male and Hulhumalé in the Maldives; Chennai, India; and the Seychelles.