Short answer: there’s no single “best” bank for everyone — it depends on what you need. Below are the banks most commonly recommended in Sri Lanka and which use-cases each suits best (with recent sources).

Quick recommendations by need

• Best overall / widest branch & ATM network, strong remittance reach: Bank of Ceylon (BOC). Good for people who need many physical branches across the island and strong remittance services; recently honoured as “Bank of the Year Sri Lanka” and continues to be the largest state bank by network. (boc.lk)
• Best private-sector bank / digital leader: Commercial Bank (ComBank). Market leader among private banks, strong international footprint, and repeatedly recognised for its digital platforms (ComBank Digital). Good if you want the best mobile/online banking experience and easier international transactions. (combank.lk)
• Best for retail/customer convenience and long retail awards track record: HNB (Hatton National Bank). Regularly named Best Retail Bank in Sri Lanka and strong on retail/digital services. Good if you value an easy consumer experience and a modern app. (hnb.net)
• Strong state-bank alternative with very large customer base and digital reach: People’s Bank — very large branch network and high digital adoption (suitable if you want low-fee basic services and wide physical coverage). (anybanq.lk, ceylontoday.lk)
• Good for remittances / customer service & niche retail offerings: smaller private banks (e.g., Nations Trust, NDB) often get high marks for customer service and convenient remittance options. Nations Trust publishes dedicated remittance services. (nationstrust.com)

How to pick the “best” one for you

• If you need branches/ATMs everywhere (rural travel, in-person deposits/withdrawals) → choose a large state bank (BOC or People’s Bank). (boc.lk, anybanq.lk)
• If you prioritize mobile/online banking, fast onboarding, international transfers, and low friction → consider Commercial Bank or HNB. (combank.lk, hnb.net)
• If you need low fees on remittances or specific merchant services, compare remittance fees and FX rates across a few banks (they can vary by corridor and time). (See bank remittance pages / award notes above.) (boc.lk, nationstrust.com)

Practical tips

• Compare current fee schedules, exchange rates and mobile app reviews before opening (these change often).
• If you’re a non-resident/expat, check each bank’s policy for foreigners — some let you open accounts from abroad or with an overseas introduction. Commercial Bank and BOC both have international operations and remittance apps. (boc.lk, combank2024.annualreports.lk)
• Check electronic-banking security features (2FA, tokenization), and whether the bank supports LankaPay/LankaQR and other local payment rails.
• For large deposits or business banking, confirm capital/credit ratings and any D‑SIB designation (Commercial Bank is designated a higher-tier D‑SIB). (combank2024.annualreports.lk)

If you want one simple pick (most common):

• For best overall digital + private-banking experience: Commercial Bank. (combank.lk, combank2024.annualreports.lk)
• For greatest physical access and remittance reach: Bank of Ceylon (or People’s Bank). (boc.lk, anybanq.lk)

If you tell me which of these matters most to you (branches vs digital vs remittances vs business banking vs lowest fees), I can give a tighter recommendation and specific accounts/products to consider.