Bank of Ceylon celebrates 77th anniversary

The Bank of Ceylon celebrates 77 years in the financial services industry in Sri Lanka. The establishment of this indigenous modern bank took place in 1939 and since then it has been shaping the banking industry addressing the emerging needs of customers.

A state council member George E. de Silva spearheaded the demand for the setting up of a State-aided bank. The inauguration took place at No. 41 Bristol Street, Colombo Fort on 1st August, 1939 with the patronage of the British Governor Sir Andrew Caldecott.

The bank earned Rs.25.3 billion PBT for the year 2015. It has surpassed Rs.1 trillion in assets in 2012 becoming the first to pass this milestone. The Bank also exceeded Rs.1 Trillion in deposit base and will reach its 'third trillion' achievement in the near future.

"The 77th Anniversary is an exceptional milestone and there are not many indigenous financial organizations which celebrate such an occasion. As we celebrate and reflect the on the past 77 years we remind ourselves that, as the leading Bank in the country that every step we take to re-modify and transform our banking processes has the effect of providing greater value to Sri Lankans at large," Chairman, Bank of Ceylon, Ronald C. Perera.

Bank's General Manager D. M. Gunasekara said, "We now provide state-of-the-art technology in many of our key branches and move on transforming other BOC branches." To mark the 77th anniversary on August 1, the Bank of Ceylon will conduct several events that includes religious and traditional ceremonies; a colourful traditional procession followed by a 'Pirith ceremony' on August 5 at the Bank's Head Office building and a blood donation campaign tomorrow, August 1.