The Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC has become the first Sri Lankan bank to achieve a market capitalisation exceeding USD 1 billion, a milestone celebrated with the ceremonial ringing of the bell at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) yesterday.
Commercial Bank Chairman Sharhan Muhseen, Managing Director/CEO Sanath Manatunge, members of the board, and senior management joined CSE officials at the event, marking what the Bank described as a defining moment in its growth journey.
The bank’s market capitalisation crossed the USD 1 billion threshold on 19 August 2025, when its share price rose to Rs.196.75, compared to Rs.144.75 at end-December 2024. This achievement positions Commercial Bank as the third listed Sri Lankan company to reach billion-dollar territory.
“This milestone transitions us into the league of large-cap companies, strengthening our visibility in global capital markets and paving the way for inclusion in institutional portfolios and index funds,” Chairman Muhseen said. “It enhances our access to capital and credit markets, enabling us to pursue innovation, expand opportunities, and create greater shareholder value.”
CSE Chairman Dimuthu Abeyesekera hailed the achievement as a boost to both the market and the country. “Commercial Bank now joins just two other companies on the CSE to cross this threshold. Every billion-dollar company strengthens market credibility, widens investment appeal, and places Sri Lanka more prominently on the global investment map,” he noted.
CEO Sanath Manatunge highlighted that the bank’s success reflected investor confidence and the resilience of its business model. “We have always aimed for equitable growth—balancing national priorities, customer aspirations, and shareholder value creation. This recognition is the outcome of our long-term commitment to delivering sustainable results,” he said.
Commercial Bank’s rise comes on the back of strong financial performance. In the second quarter of 2025, it became the first private sector bank in Sri Lanka to surpass Rs.3 trillion in assets, supported by an 8.88% Group-level and 8.66% Bank-level growth in the first half of the year.
The bank has also been ranked the second most valuable brand across all Sri Lankan sectors, and the most valuable private sector bank brand in 2025, by global brand valuation agency Brand Finance.
Commercial Bank holds a series of “firsts” in the sector: it was the first local bank to be listed among the world’s Top 1000 banks, is the largest private sector lender and SME financier, and is Sri Lanka’s first 100% carbon-neutral bank. It also operates the widest international footprint among local banks, with operations in Bangladesh, the Maldives, Myanmar, and Dubai, alongside its islandwide network of branches and digital platforms.
