Commercial Bank advances national cashless payments drive at CBSL forum in Trincomalee
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC has reaffirmed its commitment to Sri Lanka’s transition towards a digitally enabled and cashless economy through a comprehensive regional activation in support of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s Digital Payments Drive held in Trincomalee.
The Bank’s participation in the forum formed part of the national effort to accelerate the adoption of digital payments and the LANKAQR ecosystem, in line with the Government’s broader digitalisation agenda and the National QR Initiative launched under the patronage of the President of Sri Lanka in April 2026.
Leveraging its Q+ Payment App and LANKAQR payment acceptance capabilities, Commercial Bank carried out a multi-day activation across Trincomalee, combining merchant onboarding, customer education, live transaction demonstrations, digital payment awareness, and promotional incentives to encourage greater use of QR-based payments among merchants and consumers in the Eastern Province.
The campaign was driven by a cross-functional Commercial Bank team comprising representatives from the Card Centre, Marketing Department, ComBank Digital Team, and the Bank’s Trincomalee branch and regional sales teams. The initiative was also supported by LankaPay and other ecosystem partners involved in the national LANKAQR framework.
In the days leading up to the CBSL forum, Commercial Bank teams were deployed across Trincomalee town and surrounding commercial hubs to identify and onboard merchants to the LANKAQR platform. These field teams provided hands-on support to merchants, assisted with registration and documentation, and placed payment acceptance and visibility material at selected merchant locations.
The Bank also conducted a town-wide activation targeting key economic touchpoints such as transport hubs, market clusters, food vendors, small businesses, and other grassroots merchant segments. Through this outreach, merchants and customers were given practical assistance on using LANKAQR payments and the Q+ Payment App for secure, convenient, and contactless transactions.
At the main CBSL Digital Payments Forum, Commercial Bank operated a fully branded and interactive Q+ Payment App promotional stall, offering live transaction demonstrations, customer education, merchant support, and instant cashback incentives. The Bank’s team demonstrated the ease and convenience of QR-based payments to visiting dignitaries, financial sector representatives, merchants, and customers.
The momentum was continued on the second day through parallel regional activations at high-traffic commercial locations, including the Trincomalee Economic Centre, where Commercial Bank teams supported merchant readiness and encouraged real-time customer app activations.
The activation reflected the Bank’s continuing role in supporting Sri Lanka’s national digital payments agenda by taking digital payment solutions beyond major urban centres and into regional business communities. As Sri Lanka moves towards a more digitally empowered economy, widening access to secure, simple, and inclusive payment solutions is essential, the Bank said.
The Bank said that regional activations of this nature play an important role in building digital confidence among small merchants and consumers, particularly in areas where cash-based transactions remain dominant. By providing face-to-face onboarding, live demonstrations, and direct customer support, Commercial Bank is helping to make digital payments more accessible and relevant to everyday commercial activity.
For customers, the initiative provided an opportunity to experience the convenience of the Q+ Payment App through live transactions, instant cashback promotions, and direct guidance from Bank personnel. For merchants, the activation offered a practical pathway to accept digital payments, reduce dependence on cash, and participate more actively in Sri Lanka’s expanding digital economy.
Commercial Bank said its participation in the CBSL Digital Payments Drive in Trincomalee reflects its broader commitment to digital innovation, financial inclusion, SME empowerment, and national economic progress. The Bank continues to invest in payment technologies and digital platforms that support customers and businesses while contributing to Sri Lanka’s long-term transition towards a modern, cashless financial ecosystem.