Business
ComBank remittance promo to make 4 millionaires in first 4 months of 2022
40 more remittance customers to win cash prizes
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has announced that it is starting 2022 on a rewarding note with the launch of ‘Win a Million’ – a remittance promotion that will make four instant millionaires in four months and reward another 40 recipients of remittances with a total of Rs 1 million in cash.
The prize purse of Rs 5 million will be shared by the Bank’s remittance customers chosen at monthly draws between 1st January and 30th April 2022 under this promotion, the Bank said. Each month, the Bank will pick one grand prize winner to receive Rs 1 million and another 10 lucky winners who will receive Rs 25,000 each in consolation prizes.
Recipients of money via ComBank RemitPlus – the remittance service of the Bank – will automatically be entered into the draw. Every customer who receives remittances directly to a Commercial Bank Account during the promotion period and those who collect the remitted cash from a Commercial Bank branch close to them will be eligible to enter the monthly ‘Win a Million’ draws.
In addition to the chance to win these cash prizes, every worker remittance sent via the Bank, will be eligible to receive an additional Rs 10/- over the prevailing exchange rate for every US Dollar converted until 31st January 2022, the Bank said.
The Bank said it will publish details of winners on its social media platforms as well as the Bank’s ‘RemitPlus’ App.
The Bank said the ‘Win a Million’ campaign will also encourage recipients of remittances to directly approach the Bank and remittance partners to promote direct remittances, help reach untapped markets, boost customer loyalty and retention, attract customers of global partners, and popularise its Remittance Card, RemitPlus app, and related value-added services.
Remit Plus is the instant money transfer service of Commercial Bank which enables Sri Lankan expatriates to make instant money transfers from many countries around the world. A sophisticated, low cost, real time, online money transfer facility, Remit Plus can be accessed by remitters through a network of agents. The Bank’s business partners for remittances in more than 130 countries provide remittance services through which the amount will be credited to relevant Commercial Bank accounts instantly at any time of the day, any day of the year.
In 2019, the Bank launched ‘ComBank RemitPlus’ – a remittance app to enable those who use the Bank’s remittance services to conveniently access remittance-related information and services. The mobile app which could be downloaded for both iOS and Android operating systems serves as an information app and connects both the remitter and sender for interactions about the tracking of the remittance. No joining fee or annual fee is levied on the usage of this app. Regular remittance receivers are eligible to open a Remittance Account and are eligible to obtain a Remittance Card, free of charge.
Commercial Bank is one of the most active players in Sri Lanka in the field of remittances. One of the Bank’s key strengths is its island-wide network of 268 branches, many of which remain open on public, bank and mercantile holidays, and its network of 931 ATMs, which is the largest automated cash dispensing system owned by a single private bank in Sri Lanka. Recipients of remittances sent to the Bank enjoy many benefits such Holiday Banking Centres and supermarket counters, a dedicated customer support call centre for remittances and SMS alerts facilities once the remittance is received and is ready to be paid out.
Commercial Bank is Sri Lanka’s first 100% carbon neutral bank, the first Sri Lankan bank to be listed among the Top 1000 Banks of the World and the only Sri Lankan bank to be so listed for 11 years consecutively. It is the largest lender to Sri Lanka’s SME sector and is a leader in digital innovation in the country’s Banking sector. The Bank’s overseas operations encompass Bangladesh, where the Bank operates 19 outlets; Myanmar, where it has a Microfinance company in Nay Pyi Taw; and the Maldives, where the Bank has a fully-fledged Tier I Bank with a majority stake.
Business
AHK Sri Lanka champions first-ever Sri Lankan delegation at Drupa 2024
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.
Business
HNB General Insurance recognized as Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024
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.”