Business
ComBank celebrates 16 years of providing card payment solutions via ‘Goldnet’
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon recently celebrated 16 years of successful operations of the ComBank Goldnet System – the Bank’s payment card services platform which currently hosts six domestic banks and financial institutions as well as the country’s two leading telecommunications service providers.
The Commercial Bank Goldnet Symposium 2024 organised by the Bank for Goldnet members comprised of a series of technical presentations on topics relevant to the payment cards ecosystem, and the presentation of tokens of appreciation to Goldnet members in recognition of their unwavering and continuous partnership with Commercial Bank and their contribution to promoting digital payments in Sri Lanka.
Commercial Bank launched Goldnet in 2007 to provide cards-related services to banks and financial institutions in Sri Lanka. Over the years, the Goldnet system has processed millions of payment card transactions with 99.9% uptime, helping member banks and financial institutions to provide a convenient payment experience to their customers.
“Speaking at the evening session of the Goldnet Symposium 2024, Commercial Bank’s Chief Operating Officer S. Prabagar said: “As a pioneer in digital banking in Sri Lanka and the largest private bank in the country with a 103-year legacy, we believe that it is our duty to facilitate smooth transaction flows in the digital sphere, no matter which financial organisation is conducting it, ensuring that customers get the benefit of a user-friendly service.”
“Commercial Bank has remained steadfast in its promise to make digital financial services a way of life, focusing on long-term strategic plans. We are keen to collaborate, share knowledge, and innovate further in this space. To achieve the ambitious national digital transformation goals, it is of paramount importance that all organisations should work towards making products and services simple, secure and convenient for users.”
The topics covered at the full day technical sessions of the symposium were Goldnet Operations; Information Security in Payment Cards; Card Fraud & Security; Card Disputes & Chargeback; LankaPay Operations; Future Readiness Mobile Based Payments; and Goldnet Products & Services.
Commercial Bank’s Goldnet system currently provides payment cards-related services ranging from card issuance, card personalisation, ATM services and card-less cash withdrawals to Dialog, SLT Mobitel, Amana Bank, Central Finance, Senkadagala Finance, Sanasa Development Bank, Citizens Development Bank and LOLC Finance.
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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