The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has taken a significant step in enhancing financial services in Sri Lanka by introducing a new feature that allows eligible customers to withdraw their global digital earnings from PayPal directly into their bank accounts through ComBank Digital. This move further solidifies the bank’s position as a leader in adopting the latest global fintech solutions.
With this new PayPal integration, Sri Lankan freelancers, digital entrepreneurs, and exporters can quickly and securely transfer their PayPal funds to their local Commercial Bank accounts. This functionality is particularly advantageous for those involved in international digital commerce, as PayPal is one of the foremost online payment platforms, operating in nearly 200 markets worldwide.
The system operates using a secure, self-service syncing method that relies on email verification within the ComBank Digital platform. Current PayPal users can easily link their accounts to Commercial Bank by aligning the email addresses and birth dates associated with both accounts. This process allows for fast and secure authentication, facilitating nearly instantaneous transfers. Customers eligible for this service can access these features through ComBank Digital, thus broadening their access to global payment options.
Once linked, users can view their eligible PayPal balances for withdrawal directly within the banking app and transfer them to their Commercial Bank accounts. This entirely digital procedure can be completed in about two minutes and does not necessitate a visit to a physical branch.
Mr. Sanath Manatunge, Managing Director/CEO of Commercial Bank, remarked on this initiative, stating, “This development significantly strengthens Sri Lanka’s ties to the global digital economy. Freelancers and digital professionals in Sri Lanka have long struggled to securely transfer their earnings from international platforms. By integrating PayPal with ComBank Digital, we are simplifying the process of bringing international funds into the country’s regulated financial system. This also aligns with national economic goals by promoting foreign currency inflows and enhancing financial transparency while empowering our digital workforce to engage more actively in the global market.”
Commercial Bank has consistently led the way in launching innovative digital payment technologies in Sri Lanka. The bank has previously introduced numerous pioneering solutions, including the first QR-based payment application, the ‘Q+ Payment App,’ and Tap-to-Pay systems, as well as Google Pay facilities, thereby introducing advanced financial technologies to local users.
Additionally, the bank holds the record for the largest CEFT transaction volume in Sri Lanka, further affirming its dominance in the digital payments sector. For its outstanding contributions to digital banking, Commercial Bank received the ‘Excellence in Digital Payments’ award for the second consecutive year at the LankaPay Technovation Awards 2026, along with six other accolades in various digital banking categories.
As customer preferences increasingly shift towards digital solutions, Commercial Bank continues to invest in advanced banking technologies that prioritize convenience, accessibility, speed, and security.
In its commitment to supporting the burgeoning freelance economy, the bank has also rolled out specialized Freelancer Accounts, crafted to cater to the unique financial requirements of Sri Lanka’s digital workforce.
Commercial Bank is the first Sri Lankan financial institution with a market capitalization exceeding $1 billion and is noted for being among the Top 1000 Banks in the World. It boasts the highest capital base among Sri Lankan banks, serves as the largest private sector lender in the country, and is a key source of financing for the SME sector. Recognized as the most respected and awarded bank in Sri Lanka, it leads in digital innovation and is the nation’s first bank to achieve 100% carbon neutrality.
The bank operates over 270 strategically located branches and has an extensive network of automated machines nationwide. It also holds the widest international presence among Sri Lankan banks, with 21 branches in Bangladesh, a fully-fledged Tier I bank in the Maldives, a microfinance company in Myanmar, and a representative office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Additionally, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, CBC Finance PLC and Commercial Insurance Brokers (Pvt) Limited, provide a variety of financial services through their own branch networks.
