The 7th 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 in the Banking Institution category. LankaPay Technnovation Awards 2025. organized by LankaPay – Sri Lanka’s National Payment Network was held on 26th March 2025 at the Grand Ballroom, Shangri-La Colombo. Bank of Ceylon secured the Overall Silver Award, while National Savings Bank claimed the Overall Bronze Award. DFCC Bank PLC was recognized with the Overall Merit Award in the same category. LOLC Finance PLC continued to dominate the Non-Banking 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 Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka as Chief Guest, along with Hon. Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, and Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy, as Guests of Honour. Deputy Minister Finance and Planning, Hon Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma was also amongst the distinguished attendees. The event brought together over 560 industry leaders, including key policymakers, senior officials from the Central Bank 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 recognizing 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 and the Gold Award winners were;

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 (Product: People’s Wave)

Most Popular Digital Payment Product - Private Commercial Banks and Non- Bank Financial Institutions Category – (Internet and Mobile Banking) - LB Finance PLC (Product- CIM)

Most Popular Digital Payment Product - Fintech Category – Helakuru Private Limited Lanka (Pvt) 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 Private Limited (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

The Inland Revenue Department, Sri Lanka Customs, and Sri Lanka Ports Authority were also recognized for their outstanding contributions to facilitating digital payments to 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 & Action joined as the Official Creative Agency, partnering with the event for the first time. The event's Media Sponsors included Daily Mirror, Daily FT, 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 stabilizing 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 that have led the way in payment technology innovations, enhancing customer convenience while navigating complex challenges.