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.”