Business
HNB signs as settlement banking partner for LOLC Finance card transactions
Sri Lanka’s largest private sector retail bank, HNB PLC, announced a landmark partnership with the country’s largest non-banking finance institution (NBFI), LOLC Finance PLC to serve as its settlement bank for the Company’s recently established card payment services.
“HNB is proud to serve as the exclusive settlement bank for LOLC Finance. Through this milestone partnership between two of Sri Lanka’s giants in banking and finance, we will be providing payment processing support for all credit and debit card transactions made by LOLC Finance cardholders. Given their vital role as the largest NBFI, we view this partnership as a valuable opportunity to support the expansion of cashless payments and access to credit to the grassroots of the Sri Lankan economy,” HNB Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Dilshan Rodrigo stated.
Settlement banks are a primary component of the transaction process, helping to make electronic transaction processing available for merchants. Through the new agreement, LOLC Finance will now route all of its credit card transactions through HNB’s settlement account for foreign and local transactions.
“We are the very first NBFI in Sri Lanka to obtain a Payment Card – Acquiring license from the Central Bank and from Mastercard worldwide and Visa International. We are also the country’s first NBFI to obtain the Primary/Principal License from Mastercard worldwide and Visa International to issue Credit Cards and Acquire Payment Cards. Especially given that the majority of our customers are from the bottom of the pyramid, we are grateful to HNB for rapidly establishing this partnership so that we are now able to reach out to our customers and provide them greater convenience and flexibility in the management of their finances whilst fulfilling their aspirations for a better standard of living,” LOLC Finance Director and Chief Executive Officer, Conrad Dias stated.
LOLC Finance PLC is a premier licensed finance company in Sri Lanka and is the flagship finance company of the LOLC Group. The company is focused on bridging the gap between aspiration and achievement based on the foundation of uncompromising quality, total customer satisfaction and unparalleled financial expertise, enabled by strategic alliances aimed at empowering the grassroots.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
