Business
ComBank adjudged ‘Best Corporate Bank’ & ‘Best Retail Bank’ in Sri Lanka
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has won the titles of ‘Best Retail Bank Sri Lanka 2022’ and ‘Best Corporate Bank Sri Lanka 2022’ at the annual awards of the UAE-based Global Business Review magazine, which recognises and rewards excellence in companies across sectors.
The Bank was presented these accolades on the basis of the conclusions of an independent research team that reviewed its performance in 2021. Commercial Bank remained the benchmark and fastest-growing private bank in Sri Lanka in the year of assessment and outperformed its competition with a number of sector-leading performance indicators among the private banks in the country.
These included the highest market capitalization, highest gross income, highest profit before and after tax, highest value in total assets, highest value in gross loans, highest market share of loans, highest total shareholder funds, highest operating income, highest total deposits, highest market share of deposits, and the highest CASA ratio.
The Bank also launched a series of products and services in 2021 that enhanced the experience of both its retail and corporate clients. In the retail sphere, it introduced Viber and WhatsApp banking, became the first Sri Lankan bank to issue a unified QR code under LANKAQR specifications, launched the first-ever Aggregator App in the local banking space, redesigned the ‘Anagi Women’s Banking’ portfolio, introduced the utility bill payment feature across the Bank’s Cash Recycler Machine (CRM) network, automated monthly utility bill settlements via the ComBank website, and launched ‘ComBank RemitPlus’ with a remittance agent funds management module and incentives for remitters, among others.
Additionally, Commercial Bank became the first bank in the country to accept digital signatures in 2021, relaunched its corporate website in all three languages, introduced prepaid as well as credit cards for corporate fuel purchases, and added features such as payments to government institutions, group payments and payments to the Employees Trust Fund (ETF) on ComBank Digital which is its omnichannel digital banking application. The Bank also continued its support and relief schemes to SMEs and micro entrepreneurs affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Global Business Review Magazine Awards is a platform to honor and reward extraordinary performances of companies in the sectors of Banking, Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leadership, and Technology. Global Business Review is an online print magazine that provides news, features, analysis, commentary, and interviews from industries across the globe.
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
