ComBank partners Payable to introduce ‘Soundbox’ for small business digital payments

Driven by its commitment to adopt the latest global technologies and continuously elevate the customer experience, Commercial Bank of Ceylon has announced ‘Soundbox’, an innovative audio-enabled digital payment acceptance device tailored for micro, small and medium enterprises.

Powered by Mastercard and implemented in partnership with Payable (Pvt) Ltd, the Soundbox solution brings small and micro merchants, many of whom still rely predominantly on cash, into the formal digital payments ecosystem through an affordable, simple, and efficient acceptance mechanism. These devices support acceptance across all major card networks and QR schemes available in the market, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of the country’s payment landscape.

Soundbox supports both contactless card payments and QR-based transactions and provides real-time audio confirmation for every successful payment. The device announces each completed transaction, enabling merchants to verify payments instantly without interrupting their workflow. QR-based transactions will also benefit from immediate crediting, further enhancing liquidity for small businesses.

Commenting on the launch, Mr Sanath Manatunge, Managing Director/CEO of Commercial Bank said: “What makes this solution compelling is its ability to remove long-standing barriers to entry for small merchants by combining affordability with immediacy. By enabling instant onboarding, real-time transaction visibility and multi-channel acceptance through a single device, we are equipping businesses with a practical tool to participate more competitively in an increasingly digital marketplace.”

Mr Yohan Wijesiriwardane, Co-Founder & CEO of Payable, explained, “At Payable, for over a decade, we have been building towards a single goal of ensuring that no merchant is left behind in Sri Lanka’s digital economy. Soundbox brings that vision to life. A small business owner who set up shop last week should have the same access to digital payments as the largest retailer in the country, and at a price point that makes sense for where they are today. That is what this partnership with Commercial Bank and Mastercard makes possible.”

Ms Mahesha Amarasuriya, Country Manager, Sri Lanka, Mastercard said: “Mastercard’s focus is on driving secure, simple, and inclusive payment experiences, empowering small businesses to thrive. The introduction of Soundbox with Commercial Bank and Payable is a significant step in expanding digital acceptance for Sri Lanka. Combining affordability with innovation, the milestone supports the country’s micro and small merchant ecosystem to embrace digital payments with confidence and strengthen financial

inclusion and advance Sri Lanka’s journey toward a cash-lite economy.”

The Soundbox solution is particularly suited to merchants who have found traditional point-of-sale infrastructure costly or complex. By offering a significantly lower-cost alternative that combines multiple payment methods into a single device, Soundbox eliminates the need for multiple terminals while reducing checkout friction and improving operational efficiency.

The initiative reflects Commercial Bank’s continued leadership in digital innovation and its commitment to extending the benefits of secure, convenient and inclusive financial services to underserved business segments. It also aligns with national priorities to accelerate digital adoption and reduce dependence on cash-based transactions.

Customers stand to benefit from faster, safer and more convenient payment experiences at neighbourhood businesses, while merchants gain access to reliable digital payment acceptance, reduced cash handling, enhanced transaction transparency and stronger customer trust. The introduction of Soundbox is expected to play a pivotal role in digitally empowering small businesses and deepening their integration into the formal financial system, the Bank said.

Commercial Bank was the first Sri Lankan bank to achieve a market capitalisation exceeding US$ 1 billion. The Bank emerged as the No. 1 ranked Sri Lankan bank in the 2026 edition of the prestigious Top 1000 World Banks ranking published by The Banker magazine, UK. The Bank has the highest capital base among all Sri Lankan banks and is one of the largest private sector lenders in Sri Lanka. Ranked No. 1 in the Business Today Top 40, Commercial 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 majority stake in a fully-fledged Tier I Bank 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.

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