Bank of Ceylon Champions Women’s Financial Empowerment in Sri Lanka

In conversation with Priyal Silva, Deputy General Manager (Branch Operations) - Bank of Ceylon

Priyal Silva, Deputy General Manager (Branch Operations) at BOC, elaborated on the bank’s initiatives to mark this important occasion. “This year’s theme, ‘for all women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,’ aligns perfectly with our vision. The Bank of Ceylon has introduced special savings products designed specifically for women. Our objective is to enhance the financial security and financial freedom of women across Sri Lanka,” Priyal Silva explained

Women play a multifaceted role in society as mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, and community leaders, contributing immensely to both households and national economy. In celebration of International Women’s Day 2025, the Bank of Ceylon (BOC) is showcasing its role in empowering Sri Lankan women financially and promoting gender equality.

Priyal Silva, Deputy General Manager (Branch Operations) at BOC, elaborated on the bank’s initiatives to mark this important occasion. “This year’s theme, ‘for all women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,’ aligns perfectly with our vision. The Bank of Ceylon has introduced special savings products designed specifically for women. Our objective is to enhance the financial security and financial freedom of women across Sri Lanka,” Priyal Silva explained.

An important success of BOC’s financial inclusion strategy is the 'BOC Kantha Ran Ginum', a specialised savings account that has strengthened the financial standing of countless women. “Since its inception, this account has not only provided substantial financial support but has also evolved to offer competitive interest rates and additional benefits, adapting to changing economic conditions and customer needs,” Priyal Silva added.

Building on this foundation, the bank recently launched the ‘BOC Kantha Ran Ginum SmartGen’ as part of its digital transformation strategy. “This initiative not only provides attractive interest rates but also includes special features like insurance and digital banking solutions, to promote long-term financial stability for women,” He stated.

Further, BOC has introduced ‘BOC Kantha Ran Ginum Savings Certificates’, specially for the women keen to save. In commemoration of the upcoming International Women’s Day, the Bank has arranged special gifts for the first-comers to opt to this scheme.

BOC’s dedication to empowering female entrepreneurs is also evident through targeted loan schemes such as ‘BOC Mithuru’, which offer critical financial support to women-led small and medium enterprises (SMEs). “These programmes have enabled many women entrepreneurs to achieve financial success and sustain their businesses through challenging economic conditions,” Priyal Silva said.

The introduction of the ‘BOC Ranliya’ loan scheme further enhances this support, offering financing for legally accepted and registered businesses managed by women. “This initiative provides women entrepreneurs with the financial means to start and expand their businesses, whether in manufacturing, services, tourism, export-related businesses, or other sectors,” Priyal Silva explained.

Beyond financial assistance, BOC offers comprehensive support through its ‘BOC SME Circle’ and ‘BOC Export Circle’ units. These initiatives provide advisory services, training, and guidance to help women entrepreneurs scale their businesses and access broader markets. “These specialized units are designed to not only enhance business growth but also to ensure that women-led enterprises thrive sustainably,” Priyal Silva added.

In addition to traditional banking services, BOC is driving the digital transformation of its services to meet modern needs. Digital solutions such as SmartPay, Smart Online Banking, Mobile Banking App, E-Commerce Debit Cards, and BOC Connect are designed to help women seamlessly integrate into the digital economy, providing them with the tools needed for financial independence and digital literacy.

Closing the conversation, Priyal Silva delivered a heartfelt message to Sri Lankan women: “We are truly grateful to all the women who continue to trust and partner with the Bank of Ceylon. We encourage you to take full advantage of our diverse opportunities and financial solutions. Our mission is to help you achieve your aspirations and transform your dreams into tangible success. Together, let’s build a financially secure and empowered future.”