Marking International Women’s Day 2026 under the global theme “Give to Gain,” the Bank of Ceylon, the leading government bank in Sri Lanka with over 2,300 customer service touch points islandwide, reaffirms its commitment to empowering women through inclusive and accessible financial solutions.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 on Gender Equality, BOC continues to strengthen women’s participation in the formal financial system through an expanded portfolio of savings products, credit facilities, advisory platforms and digital banking services. Women play a pivotal role in managing household finances, sustaining income streams and increasingly leading enterprises and corporates across the country. At BOC, we recognise that every woman is a leader within her home, her business, her workplace and her community.
Among the Bank’s long-standing savings initiatives is the ‘BOC Kantha Ran Ginum’, introduced in 1992 to encourage women to build savings in their own name. The product has continuously evolved to reflect changing economic conditions and customer expectations. The latest enhancement, ‘BOC Kantha Ran Ginum SmartGen’, provides a digital enabled version of the facility, offering greater accessibility, convenience and efficiency.
‘BOC Kantha Ran Ginum’ savings certificates are available in denominations of Rs. 25,000, Rs. 50,000, Rs. 100,000, Rs. 250,000 and Rs. 500,000 for women seeking secure and rewarding investment opportunities. The certificates offer competitive interest rates together with additional benefits. To commemorate International Women’s Day, women who invest Rs. 100,000 or more in savings certificates will receive a complimentary 3L pressure cooker.
Credit support for women forms another key pillar of the Bank’s strategy. Loan schemes such as ‘BOC Mithuru’ have supported a significant number of women-led MSMEs, while ‘BOC Ran Liya’ addresses the financial requirements of women entrepreneurs. In addition to enterprise financing, the Bank offers a range of personal loans and other credit facilities tailored to meet women’s diverse financial needs, from personal advancement to education, housing and business expansion.
These facilities particularly benefit women operating in rural and semi-urban areas, as well as professionals and corporate leaders seeking structured financial solutions. By providing fair and timely access to credit, BOC continues to strengthen women’s financial independence and long-term economic resilience.
Beyond financing, the Bank delivers comprehensive advisory and growth-oriented platforms. The BOC SME Circle provides structured business advisory services, while the BOC Export Circle supports entrepreneurs in accessing international markets. The Business Revival and Rehabilitation Unit further assists women entrepreneurs in reviving distressed or underperforming businesses.
Digital banking services have also been expanded to enhance reach and convenience. The BOC Flex Mobile Banking App, Smart Online Banking, BOC Smart Passbook, e-commerce enabled debit cards and credit cards form part of the Bank’s growing digital solutions portfolio. Supported by its extensive islandwide branch and service network, these initiatives ensure that women across urban and rural communities have seamless access to formal banking services.
Commenting on the occasion, Ms. Surekha Kulasekara, Assistant General Manager – Sustainable Banking Division stated:
“International Women’s Day is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to strengthening women’s financial independence. Women manage household budgets, contribute significantly to family income and increasingly lead businesses and corporates across Sri Lanka. Our responsibility as the nation’s leading government bank is to ensure they have access to reliable savings instruments, responsible credit facilities, professional advisory support and user friendly digital banking solutions. These initiatives are not limited to a single campaign, but form part of our sustained efforts to widen women’s participation in formal banking and national economic development.”
Further information on savings and loan schemes introduced for women, including ‘BOC Kantha Ran Ginum SmartGen’, is available at www.boc.lk or at any Bank of Ceylon branch islandwide.
