The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has reached a landmark moment in its long-standing commitment to digital education in Sri Lanka, with the donation of its 400^th IT Lab, while simultaneously unveiling ‘ComBank Akshara’ to unify and strengthen its education-focused corporate social responsibility initiatives.

The milestone 400^th IT Lab has been established at Mahamathya Vidyalaya, Athurugiriya, extending the Bank’s flagship programme that provides underserved schools with essential digital infrastructure to support teaching and learning in an increasingly technology-driven world.

With IT Labs benefiting schools nationwide, the Bank’s latest initiative underscores the scale and consistency of one of Sri Lanka’s largest private-sector-led digital education programmes. Each IT Lab donated by Commercial Bank is fully equipped with computers, accessories and furniture. Collectively, these labs are estimated to have benefitted more than 500,000 students nationwide, playing a vital role in bridging the digital divide and enabling equitable access to technology.

Funded through the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility Trust, this flagship initiative is aligned with national priorities to enhance digital literacy, promote inclusive education, and contribute to long-term social and economic development.

“Commercial Bank firmly believes that the future of our country depends on ensuring every child is given equal access to education and opportunities to learn,” Mr Sharhan Muhseen, the Bank’s Chairman said. “Recognising this responsibility, the Bank, through its CSR Trust, has continued to invest in initiatives that create lasting social impact and empower future generations. The donation of our 400th IT lab is a significant milestone in this journey, reflecting the scale of the change we are driving to bridge the digital divide, enhance digital literacy, and equip children across Sri Lanka with the skills needed for the future.”

Commenting on the milestone, Mr Sanath Manatunge, Managing Director/CEO of Commercial Bank said: “The opening of our 400^th IT Lab is a proud moment for Commercial Bank, reflecting a sustained commitment to empowering young minds through access to technology. With the launch of ‘ComBank Akshara,’ we are bringing all our education-related CSR initiatives under a single, meaningful identity that represents knowledge, learning and opportunity. This milestone is not just about numbers; it is about the lives we have touched and the futures we continue to shape.”

The introduction of ‘ComBank Akshara’ marks a significant evolution in the Bank’s CSR strategy, creating a cohesive identity for its wide-ranging contributions to education. These include support for digital learning, STEM education, curriculum development, and skills-building initiatives designed to prepare students for the demands of a modern economy.

Mr Gamini Jayarathne, the Principal of Mahamathya Vidyalaya, Athurugiriya, expressed appreciation for the donation, stating: “This IT Lab will open up new horizons for our students, many of whom have had limited access to digital resources. We are deeply grateful to Commercial Bank for this invaluable investment in our school and our community. It will make a lasting difference to the quality of education we are able to provide.”

Over the years, Commercial Bank has complemented its IT Lab programme with a broad spectrum of initiatives to enhance science, technology, engineering and mathematics education across Sri Lanka. These include the establishment of STEM classrooms and mathematics labs, support for digital curriculum content, and partnerships to expand access to coding and networking education.

The Bank’s sustained investment in education reflects its belief that empowering the next generation with knowledge and digital skills is fundamental to national progress. By combining scale, consistency and strategic focus, Commercial Bank continues to reinforce its position as a socially responsible corporate leader, while strengthening trust and emotional connection with the communities it serves.

Commercial Bank is the first Sri Lankan bank with a market capitalisation exceeding US$ 1 Bn. and was also the first bank in the country to be listed among the Top 1000 Banks of the World.  Commercial Bank has the highest capital base among all Sri Lankan banks, is the largest private sector lender in Sri Lanka, and the largest lender to the country’s SME sector.  Ranked No. 1 in the Business Today Top 40, Commercial Bank is recognised as the most respected and most-awarded Bank in Sri Lanka. Commercial Bank is also a leader in digital innovation and is Sri Lanka’s first 100% carbon-neutral bank.

Commercial Bank operates more than 270 strategically-located branches and an extensive network of automated machines island-wide, and has the widest international footprint among Sri Lankan banks, with 21 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 PLC and Commercial Insurance Brokers (Pvt) Limited, also deliver a range of financial services via their own branch networks.

Photo caption: Mr Sharhan Muhseen – Chairman, Mr Raja Senanayake – Deputy Chairman, Mr Sanath Manatunge, Managing Director/CEO, and Mr Hasrath Munasinghe – Chief Operating Officer of Commercial Bank declared open the 400th IT Lab donated by the Bank