Business
Cargills Food City, 1st supermarket to offer cashless mobile payments
Cargills Food City launched the acceptance of LANKAQR payments at Food City outlets on October 5, bringing unparalleled convenience to their customers. LANKAQR was launched at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka under the patronage of Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, Minister of Trade and in the presence of Ajith Nivard Cabraal, State Minister of Money & Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms. The adoption of this payment option by Cargills Food City will allow LANKAQR enabled payment app users to purchase their groceries, hassle-free.
LANKAQR is the National Quick Response Code (QR) standard for local currency payments (Sri Lankan Rupees) with the aim of establishing a standard for payments carried out via mobile phones.
The first transaction using this new payment facility at Cargills Food City was made by Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, Minister of Trade. Initially, this payment facility will be available at selected Cargills Food City outlets, Staple Street, Colombo City Centre, Pelawatta 02, Koswatta 02, Nawala, Jawatta, Duplication Road, Ward Place, Rajagiriya 02 and Colpetty 02. Going forward, this will be rolled out to other outlets throughout the country.
This payment acceptance was enabled by Cargills Bank, in full support of the Central Bank’s vision to transform Sri Lanka to a cashless society.
Commenting on this significant milestone, Cargills Bank Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Senarath Bandara said: “We are delighted to introduce LANKAQR to Cargills Food City customers as a seamless payment method. Cargills Food City is the largest supermarket chain across all 25 districts, enabling our customers access to a faster, more secure and convenient check-out experience.”
“Cargills Bank proudly supports the National Payments initiatives of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka,” he added.
Cargills Food Company Managing Director Asoka Pieris, also commented on this initiative saying: “With the integration of a QR-based payment option matched with the island-wide customer reach of Cargills Food City, we are delighted to offer our customers an enhanced shopping experience with the introduction of secure digital payments. Cargills, in partnership with LANKAQR, is committed to supporting this initiative beyond its retail network.”
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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