Sri Lanka ready for investment as banking stability anchors recovery: BOC

Sri Lanka’s resilient banking system, strengthening asset classes and improving governance frameworks are creating renewed early-mover opportunities for investors as the country accelerates its economic recovery, Chairman of the Bank of Ceylon (BOC) Kavinda de Zoysa said.

De Zoysa positioned the country’s largest state-owned bank at the centre of the recovery narrative, noting that confidence in financial institutions is critical as Sri Lanka seeks to attract fresh capital after years of economic stress.

“Those who come first will enjoy the first-mover advantage. Asset classes are strengthening, governance frameworks are improving, and Sri Lanka is ready for investment,” he said, inviting global investors to take note of the country’s renewed trajectory.

He shared these views while delivering the keynote address at the World Marketing Forum recently.

De Zoysa said the banking sector’s stability and scale were underpinning investor confidence, with BOC’s nationwide footprint of more than 2,500 touch points and its handling of 36 percent of Sri Lanka’s ATM transactions placing it at the core of the country’s digital payments infrastructure.

With nearly 15 million customers, the bank continues to advance digital transformation with a strong emphasis on reliability and security, a responsibility he said grows as the economy modernises.

Reflecting on the bank’s recent performance, he said BOC had emerged as the most valued brand in Sri Lanka, attributing the milestone to disciplined leadership, a customer-focused culture and consistent delivery over its 86-year history. “With humility, Bank of Ceylon stands tall as Sri Lanka’s number one brand,” he said.

He also pointed to BOC’s expanding international presence, including operations in the United Kingdom, the India–Sri Lanka corridor, the Maldives and Africa through the Seychelles, which he said supports trade flows, investment and regional economic integration, key enablers as foreign investors reassess Sri Lanka’s positioning.

Beyond core banking, de Zoysa underscored the role of financial inclusion and infrastructure in sustaining long-term growth, citing the recent opening of BOC Connect in Analaitivu Island, accessible only by boat, which now links around 3,000 residents to global banking services.

He said investor sentiment is also being supported by broader macro improvements, with double-digit growth reported across several sectors and a gradual return of stability allowing businesses and consumers to shift from survival-driven decisions to longer-term planning.

Positioning Sri Lanka as a rising regional hub, de Zoysa highlighted the country’s strategic location, resilient banking system, modern communications infrastructure and high quality of life, noting that sophisticated consumer behaviour makes the island an attractive test market for global FMCG and technology firms ahead of wider regional rollouts.

“As Sri Lanka’s largest bank, BOC stands ready to support investors, entrepreneurs and communities as the nation moves confidently toward a new era of growth,” he said, adding that the country’s prospects are increasingly defined by an educated talent pool, entrepreneurial energy and improving institutional frameworks rather than traditional exports alone.