Recognising the rapid emergence of the gig economy in Sri Lanka, the Commercial Bank of Ceylon has introduced ‘ComBank GIG+’ – a specialised banking solution designed for freelancers, digital entrepreneurs, social media influencers, and individuals and businesses earning in foreign currency through overseas engagements to receive their foreign earnings, including PayPal-linked withdrawals, through a structured banking account.
ComBank GIG+ reflects a decisive shift in the country’s employment landscape, where a growing number of professionals are leveraging global digital platforms and remote work opportunities to build independent income streams. From freelance service providers operating on platforms such as Fiverr, Upwork and Freelancer.com, to content creators monetising audiences across YouTube, TikTok, Meta and X, this segment represents a dynamic and increasingly influential contributor to foreign exchange inflows.
ComBank GIG+ is tailored to meet the specific needs of these digital earners, offering account options in Sri Lanka Rupees as well as major foreign currencies including USD, EUR, GBP and AUD. The account is available to Sri Lankan citizens aged 18 and above residing in the country, as well as duly registered business entities, subject to verification of foreign currency income derived through recognised digital and remote work channels.
By formalising banking access for this segment, the Bank enables freelancers and digital professionals to transform their foreign income flows into structured foreign income streams. The account is positioned to serve as a gateway to a broader suite of financial services, enabling customers to access savings, credit, and investment solutions based on their foreign currency income and established financial track record.
Commenting on the introduction of ComBank GIG+, Mr Hasrath Munasinghe, Chief Operating Officer of Commercial Bank said: “The rise of independent digital earners represents a structural shift in how value is created and exported from Sri Lanka. With ComBank GIG+, we are establishing a banking framework that not only recognises this segment, but also integrates it more meaningfully into the formal financial system. This enables individuals and businesses operating beyond traditional employment models to build a verifiable financial track record, access formal financial services, scale their operations, and contribute more visibly to the country’s economic growth.”
The launch of ComBank GIG+ is particularly timely following Sri Lanka’s recent enablement of PayPal linked withdrawals, which has simplified the process of bringing overseas digital earnings into the country. Through ComBank Digital, eligible customers can now have their PayPal withdrawals credited directly to their ComBank GIG+ Account, providing a secure, convenient and seamless way to receive overseas earnings and manage them through a dedicated banking solution.
In addition to facilitating PayPal-linked withdrawals and foreign currency inflows, the Bank said the ComBank GIG+ account offers a range of value-added benefits including first-year fee waivers on credit cards and digital banking services, preferential foreign exchange rates for qualifying conversions into Sri Lanka Rupees, and the opportunity to establish a structured banking relationship that may support future access to financing and other financial solutions. These features are designed to enhance financial efficiency while supporting the day-to-day banking needs of digitally active customers.
By aligning its product innovation with evolving global work patterns, Commercial Bank continues to strengthen its position as a forward-looking, technology-driven institution. The introduction of ComBank GIG+ underscores the Bank’s commitment to supporting new economic segments, enhancing financial inclusion, and enabling Sri Lankan talent to participate more effectively in the global digital economy.
The first Sri Lankan bank with a market capitalisation exceeding US$ 1 Bn., and the first bank in the country to be listed among the Top 1000 Banks of the World, Commercial Bank has the highest capital base among all Sri Lankan banks, is the largest private sector lender in Sri Lanka, and the largest lender to the country’s SME sector. Ranked No. 1 in the Business Today Top 40, the Bank is recognised as the most respected and most-awarded bank in Sri Lanka, is a leader in digital innovation and is the country’s first 100% carbon-neutral bank.
Commercial Bank operates more than 270 strategically-located branches and an extensive network of automated machines island-wide, and has the widest international footprint among Sri Lankan banks, with 21 branches in Bangladesh, a fully-fledged Tier I Bank with a majority stake in the Maldives, a microfinance company in Myanmar, and a representative office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The Bank’s fully-owned subsidiaries, CBC Finance PLC. and Commercial Insurance Brokers (Pvt) Limited, also deliver a range of financial services via their own branch networks.
