Sampath Bank Only Sri Lankan Bank Recognised for AI Innovation at ICC Emerging Asia Banking Awards

Sampath Bank Only Sri Lankan Bank Recognised for AI Innovation at ICC Emerging Asia Banking Awards

Sampath Bank PLC has received a Special Appreciation Award for AI/ML Implementation in Banking at the ICC Emerging Asia Banking Conclave & Awards 2026 in New Delhi, India, becoming the only bank in Sri Lanka to receive recognition in this category.

The award places a Sri Lankan financial institution among organisations recognised for applying artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in banking. For customers, the value of such technologies is ultimately measured not by the terminology attached to them, but by whether they can support more convenient services, efficient operations and informed decisions. The regional recognition therefore offers a timely point of interest for Sri Lankans at home and abroad who follow the development of the country’s banking and technology sectors.

AI-generated illustration. No authentic photograph from the awards has been embedded.

Regional recognition across the BIMSTEC banking community

Presented by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the Emerging Asia Banking Conclave & Awards recognise financial institutions across the BIMSTEC region: Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Thailand.

The AI/ML category acknowledges organisations that are integrating emerging technologies to improve performance, enhance operational efficiency and create long-term value. According to the report published by Economic Times LK, the awards were evaluated by an independent panel of former banking and regulatory leaders, while PwC India served as Process Reviewer to support a transparent assessment process.

That framework gives the recognition a regional dimension. Rather than being an internal milestone alone, the award reflects an assessment made within a wider financial-services environment, where institutions are considering how data and emerging technology can support the changing needs of customers and businesses.

Sampath Bank was represented at the event by Darshin Pathinayake, Chief Business Intelligence Officer, and Kiruparan Balachandran, Principal Data Scientist. Pathinayake also took part as an invited panellist in a leadership discussion on trust, technology and transformation.

AI-generated illustration of a banking analytics team at work.

A practical focus on customers and decision-making

AI and machine learning are often discussed as broad forces reshaping finance, but their significance in banking is closely tied to practical applications. When used responsibly, analytical tools can help institutions interpret information, identify patterns and support decisions across services and internal processes.

For customers, the potential benefits may include more relevant interactions, improved service speed and greater convenience. Within a bank, data analysis may assist teams in streamlining workflows and making decisions with a clearer view of available information. In risk management, analytical systems can help assess patterns and strengthen the processes used to identify and respond to potential risks.

The award citation, as reported by Economic Times LK, recognises the integration of AI and ML to improve performance, operational efficiency and long-term value. It does not, by itself, establish the results of any particular system or guarantee a specific customer outcome. Rather, it marks the bank’s work in applying these technologies as part of a broader approach to banking innovation.

That distinction matters. Technology is most useful when it serves a defined purpose, is supported by sound governance and contributes to decisions that can be explained and reviewed. As financial institutions expand their use of data-driven tools, the relationship between innovation, customer trust and responsible risk management remains central.

Pathinayake on the bank’s approach

In a statement included in the report, Sampath Bank’s Chief Business Intelligence Officer Darshin Pathinayake said:

> ‘We are honoured to receive this Special Appreciation Award for AI/ML Implementation in Banking at the ICC Emerging Asia Banking Conclave & Awards 2026. This recognition reflects our commitment to using data, analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to create meaningful value for our customers while strengthening innovation and informed decision-making across the Bank. As banking continues to evolve, these technologies are helping us improve customer engagement, speed and convenience, strengthen operational excellence and enhance risk management.’

His remarks connect the recognition to several areas of banking: customer engagement, service convenience, operational performance and risk oversight. These priorities are increasingly interlinked, as digital services depend not only on accessible interfaces but also on the systems and controls that support them.

AI-generated illustration depicting data tools used in a contemporary banking environment.

Trust and transformation in the wider discussion

The leadership discussion in which Pathinayake participated addressed trust, technology and transformation. Banking leaders explored digital transformation, cyber resilience, regulatory developments and collaboration between banks, fintechs and technology partners.

These subjects are closely connected. Digital services can offer greater speed and convenience, while expanded reliance on technology also makes resilience, security and effective oversight indispensable. Collaboration with technology partners and fintechs may create opportunities for new services, but institutions must also ensure that such arrangements operate within appropriate standards and safeguards.

The inclusion of cyber resilience and regulation in the discussion highlights that innovation is not simply a matter of adopting new tools. Financial institutions must consider how technology works in practice, how information is protected, how risks are managed and how trust is maintained as services evolve.

For customers, the strongest outcomes are likely to be those that combine useful digital experiences with reliable service and responsible handling of risk. The award provides a regional acknowledgement of Sampath Bank’s AI and ML implementation; the continuing test for any financial institution is how effectively such capabilities serve customers and support the integrity of banking operations over time.

A positive milestone for Sri Lankan banking

Sampath Bank’s recognition is a positive marker for Sri Lanka’s financial sector, demonstrating that a local institution has been acknowledged in a regional awards programme focused on banking innovation. It also reflects the growing importance of data, analytics and technology expertise within the industry.

For Sri Lankan readers overseas, the news offers a concise example of the country’s institutions participating in a wider regional conversation about the future of financial services. For those following banking at home, it draws attention to the practical questions that accompany technological change: how services can become more responsive, how operational efficiency can be strengthened, and how innovation can be balanced with customer trust and effective risk management.

Recognition at a regional level is significant, but its broader value will be demonstrated through continued, responsible application. As banking systems develop, the opportunity lies in making advanced tools useful and dependable for customers, while ensuring that innovation is matched by careful governance. Sampath Bank’s award marks a noteworthy step in that ongoing journey.

For readers following Sri Lankan business and community developments, eLanka shares news and stories connecting Sri Lankans in Australia and around the world.

Source: Economic Times LK. Sampath Bank only Lankan Bank recognised for AI Innovation at ICC Emerging Asia Banking Awards. The Economic Times LK report credits Daily News as the original source and reports information concerning Sampath Bank and the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

This article was written based on the source https://economictimes.lk/index.php/2026/10/15/sampath-bank-only-lankan-bank-recognised-for-ai-innovation-at-icc-emerging-asia-banking-awards/, kindly email us at info@eLanka.com.au if any information needs to be corrected.

eLanka Disclaimer

Content published on eLanka may be created by the eLanka team, submitted by contributors or third parties, reproduced or adapted from other sources with appropriate source acknowledgement, or provided as promotional/advertising material by our clients. While eLanka takes reasonable care in preparing and publishing content, we do not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Views expressed are those of the respective authors or contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of eLanka. Third-party contributors, content providers and advertisers are responsible for the accuracy of material they supply and for ensuring they hold the necessary rights and permissions for its publication. Advertising and promotional content should not be regarded as an endorsement by eLanka of any product, service or claim.