COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Oct 10 (ePRESS) – Sri Lanka’s Asian Games gold medalist and reigning Asian 800m champion Tharushi Karunaratne has been appointed as the new Brand Ambassador for Commercial Bank’s Digital App, the nation’s most popular and trusted digital banking platform.
The 19-year-old track sensation, who has quickly risen to fame as one of Sri Lanka’s brightest young athletes, will now represent a brand that mirrors her own values of resilience, dedication, and continuous progress.
In a statement, Commercial Bank of Ceylon said that Tharushi embodies the same spirit that drives the Bank’s success — “a relentless commitment to growth and excellence.” The partnership, the Bank noted, reflects its position as Sri Lanka’s most awarded and innovative financial institution.
Sharing her excitement about the partnership, Tharushi said:
“I am proud to join hands with Commercial Bank, a trusted leader in Sri Lanka’s financial industry. Just as I push my limits on the track, Commercial Bank strives for excellence and innovation. I’m honoured to represent a brand that shares my passion for performance and growth.”
This new collaboration follows the Bank’s successful partnership last year with Matheesha Pathirana, the celebrated Sri Lankan fast bowler, as a brand ambassador for the ComBank Debit Card, the country’s largest debit card brand. That partnership helped strengthen customer engagement and expand the Bank’s youth appeal.
By onboarding Tharushi Karunaratne, Commercial Bank aims to connect emotionally with a new generation of Sri Lankans, highlighting its role as a forward-thinking institution that celebrates national pride, progress, and performance.
Tharushi, who made history by winning gold in the women’s 800m at the 2022 Asian Games, became the first Sri Lankan since Susanthika Jayasinghe and Damayanthi Dharsha to capture an Asian Games gold medal. In 2023, she added the Asian Athletics Championship 400m gold in Bangkok, breaking a 25-year-old record and confirming her status as Sri Lanka’s most promising middle-distance runner.
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon, Sri Lanka’s largest private sector lender, was the first local bank to surpass US$1 billion in market capitalisation and to be listed among the Top 1000 Banks of the World. It holds the highest capital base among Sri Lankan banks and is the country’s leading lender to the SME sector.
Recognised for its digital innovation and sustainability leadership, Commercial Bank is also Sri Lanka’s first 100% carbon-neutral bank. It operates an extensive island-wide branch network, a wide network of ATMs, and the widest international footprint among Sri Lankan banks — with 20 branches in Bangladesh, operations in the Maldives and Myanmar, and a representative office in Dubai’s DIFC.
Through partnerships like Tharushi Karunaratne’s, Commercial Bank continues to celebrate Sri Lankan excellence — both on the track and in the financial arena.
