Business
BOC partners with UnionPay International to accept QR code payments in Sri Lanka
Bank of Ceylon (BOC) has partnered with UnionPay International (UPI) to offer UnionPay QR code payment service in Sri Lanka. UnionPay is the first global card scheme to partner with BOC to enable QR code payment service in Sri Lanka, BOC announced.
With this collaboration, Bank’s merchants with LANKAQR QR will also accept UnionPay QRC, enabling UnionPay App holders to make QR payments in Sri Lanka. Anyone, who has a wallet with UnionPay QRC enablement can scan the Bank of Ceylon QR code at merchant locations and pay for goods and services.
“As the largest Bank in Sri Lanka, we are proud to join with the global card Scheme, UnionPay for introducing QR Code payments enabling all BOC SmartPay QR merchants to accept payments from any tourist or foreigner with UnionPay enabled QR App. With this new facility, SmartPay App will be more popular among our merchants and the leading position secured by us in QR Transactions in Sri Lanka will be improved further. So, this would be a good opportunity for both BOC and UPI to improve their business turnover and market share and enhance the digital footprint in Sri Lanka’’ stated the General Manager, Bank of Ceylon, K E D Sumanasiri at the launching ceremony held in par with the bank’s 82nd Anniversary.
“We are honoured to partner with Bank of Ceylon to enable UnionPay QRC payment service in Sri Lanka. Any customer who has the capability of using UnionPay QRC will be able to perform transactions more easily and conveniently to merchants who accept QRC payments in Sri Lanka. This fully reflects UPI’s support for local supervision and is believed to be conducive to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. We are very keen to further expand the relationship with BOC in the near future to enhance the payment industry in Sri Lanka” said Michelle Shao, General Manager of UPI HK Branch, joining the event virtually from Hong Kong.
The UnionPay QRC is generated in conformity with EMVco standards and in accordance with guidelines provided by UnionPay. Hence it ensures interoperability and customers in mainland China can also use this QRC in addition to UnionPay customers in other countries and regions around the world.
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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