LankaPay Technnovation Awards 2025 crowns excellence

A memento being presented to Guest of Honour Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eng. Eranga Weeraratne (left)

Commercial Bank – Overall Gold Award winner under the Banking Institutions category

The seventh edition of the LankaPay Technnovation Awards 2025 came to a close on a high note, with Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC clinching the Overall Gold Award for ‘Excellence in Digital Payments’ under the Banking Institutions category. 

LankaPay Technnovation Awards 2025, organised by LankaPay – Sri Lanka’s national payment network – was held on 26 March at the Grand Ballroom, Shangri-La Colombo. 

The Bank of Ceylon secured the Overall Silver Award, while the National Savings Bank claimed the Overall Bronze Award. DFCC Bank PLC was recognised with the Overall Merit Award in the same category. LOLC Finance PLC continued to dominate the Non-Bank Financial Institutions category, winning the Overall Gold Award for the sixth consecutive year, while Dialog Finance PLC secured Overall Silver.

The ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, along with Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eng. Eranga Weeraratne and Chief Adviser to the President on Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya as Guests of Honour. Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma was also amongst the distinguished attendees. 

The event brought together over 560 industry leaders, including key policymakers, senior officials from the CBSL and Government institutions, as well as representatives from diplomatic missions and global payment networks.

Launched in 2017, LankaPay Technnovation Awards is Sri Lanka’s only financial sector awards ceremony dedicated to recognising pioneers in payment technology innovation. The initiative honours institutions that have played a vital role in advancing digital transactions and enhancing customer convenience, fostering a more digitally inclusive economy.

Altogether, 38 awards under 14 categories were awarded at this year’s awards.

The Inland Revenue Department, Sri Lanka Customs, and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority were also recognised for their outstanding contributions to facilitating digital payments to the Government.

LankaPay Technnovation Awards 2025 was proudly supported by a host of esteemed sponsors. Mastercard served as the Strategic Partner, marking its first collaboration with the event. UnionPay International and BPC were the Platinum Sponsors, with UnionPay International supporting the event for the third time. Alipay+ joined as the Gold Sponsor, marking its second partnership. The Silver Sponsors included JCB International and NETS Singapore, with JCB International backing the event since its inception in 2017 and NETS Singapore supporting it for the fourth consecutive year. Rolling and Action joined as the Official Creative Agency, partnering with the event for the first time. The event’s Media Sponsors included Daily FT, Daily Mirror, Sunday Times, Ada Derana Biz, FM Derana, and TV Derana, ensuring widespread coverage and visibility. The financial services sector has remained one of the most resilient and rapidly evolving industries in the country, playing a pivotal role in stabilising the national economy amid unprecedented challenges. Despite the economic crisis, the sector has demonstrated remarkable adaptability, ensuring continued growth and financial stability. LankaPay Technnovation Awards 2025 served as a tribute to the visionary financial institutions, FinTechs, as well as Government institutions, which have led the way in payment technology innovations, enhancing customer convenience while navigating complex challenges.

Gold Award winners 

•  Bank of the Year for Excellence in Customer Convenience – Category A: Bank of Ceylon; Category B: National Savings Bank; Category C: DFCC Bank PLC
•  Non-Bank Financial Institution of the Year for Customer Convenience: LOLC Finance PLC
•  Best Common ATM Enabler of the Year – Category A: Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC; Category B: Seylan Bank PLC; Category C: Amana Bank PLC
•  Bank of the Year for Financial Inclusivity – Category A: Bank of Ceylon; Category B: National Savings Bank; Category C: DFCC Bank PLC
•  Non-Bank Financial Institution of the Year for Financial Inclusivity: LOLC Finance PLC
•  Most Innovative Bank of the Year: Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC 
•  Most Popular Digital Payment Product – State Bank Category (Internet and Mobile Banking): People’s Bank (People’s Wave)
•  Most Popular Digital Payment Product – Private Commercial Banks and Non- Bank Financial Institutions Category – (Internet and Mobile Banking): LB Finance PLC (CIM)
•  Most Popular Digital Payment Product – Fintech Category: Helakuru Ltd. (Product: HelaPay)
•  Best Bank for Retail Payments: Bank of Ceylon
•  Best Mobile Application for Retail Payments via JustPay (Banks and Non-Bank Financial Institutions): LOLC Finance 
•  Best Mobile Application for Retail Payments via JustPay (FinTech): Helakuru Ltd. (HelaPay)
•  Best LANKAQR Enabler: Hatton National Bank PLC
•  Best Bank for Digital Government Payments: Bank of Ceylon
•  Best Government Institution for Enabling Digital Payments via GovPay: University of Moratuwa
•  Best LankaPay Card Issuer of the Year: Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC
•  Best LankaPay Card Acquirer of the Year: Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC
•  Financial Institution of the Year for Best Digital Payment Strategy: LOLC Finance PLC