Business
BOC’s new GM/CEO confident about Bank’s inward remittances hitting USD 4 billion in 2023
Also positive on steering the country’s largest bank successfully as it navigates turbulent conditions
by Sanath Nanayakkare
The Bank of Ceylon (BOC), the leader of inward remittance business in Sri Lanka, is confident that it will be able to regain its past glorious levels of foreign exchange remittances by the end of 2023 or within 2024.
The new General Manager/ Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Ceylon, Russel Fonseka made these comments to The Island Financial Review yesterday after officially assuming duties in the crucial post of the Bank.
“If I remember correctly, BOC recorded its highest foreign remittances of US dollars 4 billion in 2019, and at the rate things are improving currently, we believe that we should be able to reach the same level of inward remittances by the end of 2023 or within 2024,” he said.
Having joined the BOC in 1990, Fonseka has notched up 33 years of service with the banking giant and was serving as the Additional General Manager and the CFO before assuming duties as the 23rd General Manager of the Bank.
Russel Fonseka has successfully steered and given leadership to the various divisions that came under his purview. He has held the positions of Chief Financial Officer, Head of Finance and Planning, Head of International, Treasury and Investments, Head of Retail Banking and Head of Corporate and Offshore Banking. The exposure to many areas of banking would be a distinct advantage as he faces the task of steering the premier bank in Sri Lanka during what looks to be the most turbulent period the country and the globe has faced in recent times.
Fonseka said that he took up the challenge not only because of his confidence to steer the Bank through the turbulent times and give crucial support to the national economy, but also due to his confidence in the capabilities and commitment of the senior management and staff that he is supported by.
Responding to a question by the media about the Bank’s ability to provide US dollars to its customers for their international trade transactions, he said,” After the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) effected the relaxation on exchange rate, we have been able to fulfill the dollar requirement of our customers. In addition to that, many other Sri Lankan customers come to BOC for their foreign currency requirement and we oblige them too.”
He pointed out that the exchange rate relaxation helped minimise the gap between the official and the unofficial exchange rate of the US dollar.
“In this backdrop, now a lot of expatriate workers have turned back to remitting their earnings through formal banking channels. This has increased BOC’s inflow of foreign remittances. In the last couple of months, we were able to contribute a huge sum of foreign exchange to the national economy to finance the import of fuel and other essential commodities. We think that we will be able to further increase this capacity and elevate our ability to match the foreign exchange requirement of the country.”
When asked about high lending rates, he said,” While new loans will have to be worked out at current market rates, the business loans we had given some time back are still effective at lower rates. This means still there are business customers who are enjoying 12%-18% rates depending on the rates regime they had chosen at the time. For hardly any customers have we increased our lending rates to 30%.” he said.
“Our non-performing loans (NPLs) compared to the industry are at a very low level because of our unique loan recovery concept. We don’t want to take our non-paying borrowers who are genuinely in trouble to court. Instead we collaborate with them and help them constantly for the recovery of their businesses,” he said.
Giving his thoughts about the trajectory of interest rate movements in the future, he said, “Even though the current interest rate in the market is 30% as influenced by the T-bill and T-Bond rates, we have taken some initiatives to moderate it. We have a small cartel in the banking industry and we have decided not to pay more than 26% for fixed deposits. In the time to come, we are planning to decrease it further. We hope this will help us reduce our lending rates to businesses and entrepreneurs and achieve real growth in the economy through export-oriented manufacturing and providing of services to the key markets of 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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