Reinforcing its dedication to enhancing customer convenience and delivering exceptional value, the Commercial Bank of Ceylon has unveiled the UnionPay SplendorPlus Card, a premium addition to its UnionPay credit cards portfolio, created expressly to give Sri Lankan travellers a frictionless, highly cost-efficient payment experience, especially when travelling to China’s mainland.

Developed in partnership with UnionPay International (UPI), the new card strengthens Commercial Bank’s position as the country’s leader in providing innovative and value-added payment solutions, and arrives at a time when China is fast becoming one of the most significant business and leisure destinations for Sri Lankans.

At the signing of the UnionPay SplendorPlus Card Agreement, Commercial Bank was represented by Mr Sanath Manatunge, Managing Director and CEO, Mr S. Prabagar, Chief Operating Officer and Mr Sivasubramaniam Ganeshan, Deputy General Manager – Personal Banking. The UnionPay delegation was led by Mr Dong Junfeng, Chairman of China UnionPay and UnionPay International, accompanied by senior UPI officials including Mr Shao Kuoyi, President of China UnionPay Merchant Services Payment Inc., and Mr Cai Huiming, General Manager SEA of UnionPay International.

Placing the partnership in context, Mr Sanath Manatunge, Managing Director/CEO of Commercial Bank said the launch of the SplendorPlus Card demonstrates the Bank’s readiness to deliver advanced payment solutions to a rapidly globalising customer base. He noted that the new card reflects both organisations’ long-term commitment to serving outbound Sri Lankan travellers. “This collaboration elevates Commercial Bank’s position at the forefront of Sri Lanka’s card market. The SplendorPlus Card is designed to give our cardholders genuine financial advantages when travelling to China’s mainland, where digital payments dominate daily transactions. It will serve as a reliable and rewarding travel companion, making every purchase simpler, safer and more cost-effective.”

The agreement was entered into during Chairman Dong Junfeng’s visit to Colombo, underscoring UnionPay International’s recognition of Sri Lanka as a strategically important market for its expansion and premium product strategy.

The UnionPay Commercial Bank Asia Prestige Platinum SplendorPlus Card represents a significant upgrade to the existing UnionPay Asia Prestige Platinum Card. The addition of the SplendorPlus mark signals a new tier of travel-focused benefits that directly address the needs of Sri Lankans navigating China’s heavily digital payment ecosystem, the Bank said.

For travellers, the card provides meaningful financial relief through a guaranteed 1% basic cash rebate on eligible purchases made in China’s mainland, with rebates applicable on spending up to CNY 600 during the promotional period running until 31 December 2026.  SplendorPlus also carries lifestyle privileges designed for convenience and comfort. Cardholders gain instant discounts at selected hotels within groups such as IHG and Marriott in China’s mainland, while elevated airport lounge access is available when qualifying spend thresholds are met. The card further provides savings on leading Chinese e-commerce platforms, including JD Worldwide and PinDuoDuo, and curated dining benefits across key travel hubs.

Commercial Bank’s strong leadership in card issuing and acquiring provides a powerful foundation for the SplendorPlus launch. ComBank cards are among the fastest-growing card bases in the country. Every card is equipped with Tap ’n Go NFC capability and supported by one of Sri Lanka’s largest POS networks.

In addition to seasonal campaigns aligned with major festivals, Commercial Bank cardholders enjoy year-round benefits across essential and lifestyle categories, strengthening the value proposition of every card in the portfolio. The launch of the UnionPay SplendorPlus Card further expands these advantages, giving outbound travellers to China a purpose-built payment solution backed by the trust, scale and market leadership of Sri Lanka’s largest private sector bank.

The first Sri Lankan bank with a market capitalisation exceeding US$ 1 Bn., Commercial Bank was also the first bank in the country to be listed among the Top 1000 Banks of the World, and has the highest Tier I capital base among all Sri Lankan banks. The Bank is the largest private sector lender in Sri Lanka and the largest lender to the country’s SME sector. Commercial Bank is also a leader in digital innovation and is Sri Lanka’s first 100% carbon-neutral bank.

Commercial Bank operates a network of strategically located branches and automated machines island-wide, and has the widest international footprint among Sri Lankan banks, with 20 branches in Bangladesh, a fully-fledged Tier I Bank with a majority stake in the Maldives, a microfinance company in Myanmar, and a representative office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The Bank’s fully owned subsidiaries, CBC Finance Ltd. and Commercial Insurance Brokers (Pvt) Limited, also deliver a range of financial services via their own branch networks.

Photo caption: Mr Sanath Manatunge, Managing Director/CEO of Commercial Bank and Mr Dong Junfeng, Chairman of China UnionPay and UnionPay International, at the signing of the agreement