Business
Cargills Online becomes first ecommerce platform to integrate LANKAQR
Cargills Online has become the first and currently the only e-commerce platform in Sri Lanka to integrate LANKAQR for delivery thereby providing greater convenience to its customer base together with its wide merchandise offering. LANKAQR is a project initiative from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to ensure all QR codes and QR based transactions in Sri Lanka are standardized and interoperable.
How many of us have ordered groceries online and not received most of the order? Cargills Online revolutionised the grocery supply chain in Sri Lanka by introducing the dark store to solve this issue. Cargills Online offers the freshest produce and one of the range of products, providing a convenient, hassle-free delivery where customers can order weekly groceries in less than 2 minutes. Deliveries are efficiently carried out by professional delivery agents with consistent on time delivery. The dedicated customer experience team ensures that higher customer satisfaction at all times. In addition to LANKAQR, Cargills Online also offers cash and card on delivery and online payments. Cargills Online can be accessed via the App available on Android & iOS and the website https://cargillsonline.com/. Customers can use the mobile app or visit the website and select LANKAQR as the payment method. When the Cargills team delivers the order, the customer can use any payment app to make the payment using LANKAQR. Even if the payment option is selected as “Card On Delivery” or “Cash On Delivery”, the customer can pay via LANKAQR once the goods arrive.
Namal Rajapaksa – Minister of Youth & Sports, Minister of Development Co-ordination and Monitoring and State Minister of Digital Technology and Enterprise Development stated, “Sri Lanka is currently undergoing a revolution as we aim to deploy the latest technology so that we can increase financial inclusion in the country, strengthen trade and drive the economy towards prosperity. I am excited to see Cargills Ceylon coming forward to support us in this national effort. LANKAQR is one such initiative that we have conceptualized with the support of the Central Bank and Lanka Clear. A notable fact is that LANKAQR was entirely developed by using Sri Lankan expertise.”
From left: Senarath Bandara – Managing Director /CEO, Cargills Bank, Ranjit Page – Deputy Chairman / Group CEO, Cargills (Ceylon) PLC, D Kumaratunge – Assistant Governor, Central bank Of Sri Lanka, Ajith Nivard Cabraal – Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Yohan Samuel- Delivery Agent, Cargills Online, Sanjeewa Premawaradana – General Manger / IT, Cargills (Ceylon) PLC, Asanka Mahanama – Senior Manager – IT, Cargills (Ceylon) PLC and Roshan Dilruk – Operations Manager, Cargills Online
Ajith Nivard Cabraal – Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka commented, “The Central Bank of Sri Lanka introduced LANKAQR in partnership with LankaClear to fast track Sri Lanka’s journey towards becoming a cashless society while also boosting financial inclusion. SMEs are the engine of growth in the country and it is important for us to give them all the resources and support necessary to achieve their fullest potential. I thank Cargills Ceylon for joining hands with us to take this technology to its large, island wide customer base.”
Asoka Pieris – Managing Director Cargills Foods Company (Pvt) Ltd, “Cargills’ continued commitment and passion to improve the lives of all Sri Lankans led us to Cargills Online and ensured that customers can continue to purchase groceries at home while still enjoying the supermarket experience. By integrating LANKAQR, our valued customers will have even more flexibility when it comes to paying for their goods. We are proud to be the first and currently the only e-commerce platform in Sri Lanka to integrate LANKAQR for delivery.”
LANKAQR was introduced by the Central Bank together with licensed financial institutions and LankaClear (Pvt) Ltd with the aim of moving Sri Lanka towards a less-cash society and increasing financial inclusion across the country. LANKAQR allows customers to make payments, directly from their bank accounts to accounts of merchants or service providers, using payment apps of LANKAQR certified financial institutions. LANKAQR is a low-cost digital payment solution, which primarily targets small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
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.”