DFCC Bank Champions Women’s Empowerment through “Ride for Life : Ride for Her”

On a recent March morning in Colombo, Kandy and Galle, groups of cyclists moved through the streets, not as a race or spectacle, but as a statement.

It was DFCC Bank’s “Ride for Life” - this time centred on “Ride for Her” - and it was about more than cycling.

Over the years, “Ride for Life” has become a defining part of DFCC Bank’s community engagement, bringing together employees, customers, and the public to ride with purpose.

What began as a platform to encourage conversations around wellbeing has steadily evolved into something broader - a way of using movement, visibility, and community to support causes that matter.

“Ride for Her” builds on that foundation, shifting the focus towards women’s empowerment.

Organised to mark International Women’s Day, the initiative brought together communities across three cities in a shared moment of visibility.

Nearly 100 participants, including DFCC Aloka customers, employees, and members of the wider cycling community, took part.

However, the significance of the ride extended beyond participation numbers.

This edition placed women at the centre - not only as participants, but as organisers, leaders, and voices.

The energy of the ride reflected that shift. It was not about inclusion as an afterthought, but about ownership.

A few male participants joined in a supportive role, reinforcing the idea that empowerment is strengthened through collective participation.

The symbolism of the ride was both simple and meaningful.

To ride publicly and confidently across three of Sri Lanka’s key cities is to claim space, to be visible, and to move forward on one’s own terms.

In this context, “Ride for Life” takes on a deeper meaning.

Life is not only about wellbeing in the conventional sense, but about the life that is created when women are given opportunity, visibility, and support to grow.

It is about recognising existing potential and creating the conditions for it to progress.

Through DFCC Aloka, its dedicated proposition for women, DFCC Bank has been advancing this approach by focusing not only on financial access, but also on enabling confidence, participation, and long-term progress.

“Ride for Her” reflects this thinking in action - translating intent into a visible and shared experience.

The initiative also carried a strong message around wellbeing.

It encouraged women and young girls to embrace active lifestyles, to engage more confidently in public spaces, and to see themselves as part of a wider, supportive community.

More broadly, it reinforced the idea that empowerment is not abstract, but something that is lived and experienced.

Across Colombo, Kandy, and Galle, the impact of that message was evident.

Not in a dramatic or overstated way, but in a manner that felt authentic and grounded.

“Ride for Life” continues to evolve as a platform that brings together purpose and participation.

With each edition, it carries forward new conversations and communities, while remaining rooted in a simple idea - that when space is created, support is visible, and opportunity is shared, individuals are better able to move forward.

In this instance, that movement represents more than progress at an individual level.

It reflects the broader impact of empowering women, where increased participation, confidence, and opportunity contribute to stronger communities and a more inclusive future.

About DFCC Bank

DFCC Bank PLC, established in 1955 and listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange since 1956, is one of Sri Lanka’s leading financial institutions.

Regulated by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and rated A (lka) by Fitch Ratings, the Bank offers a comprehensive portfolio of retail, corporate, and SME banking services, along with treasury, investment, and trade finance solutions.

With customer centricity and sustainable innovation at its core, DFCC Bank delivers seamless and secure banking experiences, which include digital platforms like DFCC MySpace, and through a network of 133 branches and access to over 6,000 ATMs via the LankaPay network.

A recognised leader in sustainable finance and renewable energy initiatives, DFCC Bank is committed to reducing environmental impact and fostering long-term economic resilience.