Business
Arimac innovates and Rredefines the Sri Lankan banking industry
Mobile payments have seen an increased development after the world faced the COVID-19 crisis in 2020. In the new socially distanced world, customers swiftly moved to digital solutions, whether it was for purchasing groceries or indulging in entertainment. Many businesses had to digitally transform themselves to keep up with the “no contact” way of functioning. “Within ten years, the objects used to make physical payments, be it plastic cards, paper cash, or metal coins will be obsolete, with most of that obsolescence happening over the next five years. Arimac currently has partnered with several multinational companies that have already started the trend of digitalization. This isn’t science fiction either. Look no further than Asia for examples of countries where most commerce is transacted through the mobile phone. At Arimac, we are excited to be at the forefront, leading the Sri Lankan fintech industry to the next stage of digitalization,” says Chamira Jayasinghe, Founder/CEO of Arimac.
One such partnership is Arimac’s collaboration with People’s Bank to launch the People’s Pay digital wallet, enabling individuals and businesses to transact electronically and store their data safely. Through the People’s Bank mobile wallet, customers can now check their account balances, transfer funds, pay utility bills as well as manage accounts at other banks. Additionally, customers can also conveniently carry out mobile reloads, bill payments, and QR code payments. Merchants are also provided a host of user-friendly features including registration requests within the app, history and overview based on the currency, same-day refunds, and QR code generation with the convenience of using the same app for both personal and merchant financial management.
Providing customers with enhanced biometric security features, such as fingerprint scanning and facial recognition, the mobile wallet is also equipped with AI technology that would facilitate customers to verify all the information that is uploaded onto the platform as well as capture the users’ digital signatures. The app’s onboarding security features will be further enhanced to facilitate EKYC and VKYC modules for additional identity verification.
“We developed this app in the course of just two months. It normally takes around 8 months to develop a fully functional mobile wallet; however, the team was determined to meet the timeline that was given to us and worked tirelessly to achieve this. We are currently working on enhancing the features even further by transforming the standard mobile wallet to a complete banking solutions app. This will transform the way people handle money and redefine the Sri Lankan banking industry. We are excited to have partnered with People’s Bank to pioneer this groundbreaking technology to the Sri Lankan market,” says Chamira Jayasinghe.
The wallet is fully compliant with all regulatory and cyber security requirements and is approved by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Available on all mobile platforms and compatible in Sinhala, English and Tamil, the People’s Pay Mobile Wallet is the ideal tool to manage all your online transactions.
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.”
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