Amãna Bank PLC marked its 15th anniversary by ringing the market opening bell at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) trading floor earlier this week, celebrating a milestone in the Bank’s journey as one of Sri Lanka’s financial institutions operating fully without interest-based transactions.
Amãna Bank commenced its banking operations in 2011 as a stand-alone institution licensed by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange. The Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group remains the Bank’s principal shareholder. The IsDB Group is a supranational, AAA-rated multilateral development financial institution with a membership comprising 57 countries.
Over the past 15 years, Amãna Bank has steadily expanded its presence across Sri Lanka, serving a growing customer base through a network of more than 80 branches and self-banking centres. The Bank has maintained a focus on Retail, SME and development-oriented banking, while adopting a selective approach to corporate banking.
Its asset-backed banking model continues to direct financing towards productive sectors of the economy, supporting entrepreneurs, households and businesses while remaining aligned with the Bank’s values and customer-centric approach.
Delivering the keynote address at the ceremony, Chairman of Amãna Bank PLC Asgi Akbarally said the occasion provided an opportunity to reflect on the institution’s contribution over the past 15 years.
“We are honoured to have been given this opportunity by the Colombo Stock Exchange to mark Amãna Bank’s 15th anniversary through this ceremonial market opening. This occasion is a fitting recognition of the impact the Bank has made over the past 15 years, enabling growth, enriching lives and creating value through our unique development focused people friendly approach to banking,” he said.
“As we celebrate this important milestone, we remain committed to building on this strong foundation and to contributing meaningfully to the continued progress and prosperity of our customers, communities and the Sri Lankan economy,” Akbarally added.
Managing Director and CEO of Amãna Bank PLC Mohammed Azmeer also reflected on the Bank’s 15-year journey and its evolution as a listed financial institution.
“We are thankful to the Colombo Stock Exchange for honouring Amãna Bank’s 15-year journey through today’s ceremonial market opening. Today is not only a celebration of fifteen years, but also an opportunity to reflect on how far Amãna Bank has progressed as a listed financial institution and to look ahead with renewed confidence to the next chapter of our journey,” he said.
“As we look ahead, our focus remains on further strengthening the Bank, creating sustainable value for our shareholders, supporting the country’s economic development, and continuing to deliver on our promise of Development Focused, People Friendly Banking,” Azmeer added.
Addressing the gathering, Nilupa Perera, Chief Regulatory Officer of the Colombo Stock Exchange, congratulated Amãna Bank on reaching the milestone and acknowledged its progress since entering the market.
“Amana Bank’s first fifteen years have been defined by vision and progress, and we look forward to seeing the Bank continue to expand its impact in the years ahead,” Perera said.
Over the years, Amãna Bank has received several local and international accolades, including being named ‘Best Up-and-Coming Islamic Bank in the World’ by Global Finance Magazine USA during its formative years. The Bank has also been ranked among the ‘World’s Top 50 Strongest Islamic Banks’ by The Asian Banker and selected as the ‘Most Impactful ICD Investee Company’ by the Islamic Development Bank Group.
The commemorative bell-ringing ceremony also highlighted the range of capital market products available through the Colombo Stock Exchange, including Sukuks. Sri Lanka’s first listed Sukuk was introduced in 2025, further expanding the range of investment instruments available in the country’s capital market.
Representatives from Amãna Bank PLC and the Colombo Stock Exchange attended the ceremony, which marked the Bank’s 15-year presence as a listed financial institution and its contribution to Sri Lanka’s financial and economic landscape.
Image Disclaimer: Images used in this article are the property of their respective copyright holders and rightful owners. No ownership is claimed over the images.
