Business
HNB partners SLT-MOBITEL to launch ‘Ithuru Ithuru’ islandwide agency banking service, utilising mCash Agent Network
Two of Sri Lanka’s giants in banking and telecommunications, HNB PLC and SLT-MOBITEL, announced a landmark partnership to launch ‘HNB Ithuru Ithuru’, an agency banking service that will enable HNB customers to make deposits to HNB General and Minor Savings Accounts through selected SLT-MOBITEL mCash agents.
Aimed at drastically expanding financial inclusion while promoting the savings habit across the island, the launch marks HNB’s first entry into the agency banking space.
Global experiences with similar agency banking relationships have proved to have a strong positive impact on the generation of domestic savings. Working under the close supervision of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the new partnership between HNB and SLT-MOBITEL is expected to create similar positive impacts, particularly for Sri Lankans living in more remote, and rural areas.
“We are proud to have partnered with SLT-MOBITEL in order to continue delivering innovative methods of expanding access to financial services for all Sri Lankans. While HNB has been investing heavily in expanding our physical and digital presence, the introduction of agency banking services through SLT-MOBITEL extensive mCash network will enable an exponential increase in our reach. Ultimately this means better access to essential financial services, especially in remote rural areas, and greater convenience and choice for customers island-wide. This is a win-win scenario for all parties, and a major milestone for the nation,”
“Similar models have been used in African markets like Kenya where approximately US$ 7.27 billion in transactions were conducted via banking agents, while initiatives have also been commenced in Uganda, Tanzania, and Malaysia. We are confident that HNB’s launch of agency banking services will have a similarly transformative effect in terms of breaking down barriers to financial inclusion which remains a key imperative for HNB moving forward.” HNB Executive Director /Chief Operating Officer, Dilshan Rodrigo stated.
He went on to explain that HNB’s partnership with SLT-MOBITEL was also part of a wider strategy from the bank which aims to create a new paradigm in banking services in Sri Lanka, by taking the Bank’s products and services out of its branches and directly to customers in order to create meaningful engagement and cultivate long-lasting relationships.
Chandika Vitharena, CEO, Mobitel said, “As the National ICT Solutions Provider, SLT-MOBITEL remains committed to supporting the nation’s vision of bridging the digital divide and mCash, our state-of-the-art mobile money platform is ideally placed to pave the way for Sri Lanka’s financial inclusion goals. Recognised as the revolutionary mobile money concept in the country, mCash offers 3600 cutting-edge mobile financial solutions by empowering customers and businesses towards cashless transactions that are seamless, efficient, and secure. We are pleased to partner Hatton National Bank to become a key enabler to leverage the mobile payments ecosystem and propel a valued and vibrant sector.”
In order to make deposits, any HNB General or Minor Savings Account holder can simply engage with any of the selected SLT-Mobitel mCash agents such as Softlogic, Singer, Lanka Bell, as well as any SLT-MOBITEL outlets to make a deposit to their account.
Customers will have to produce their name, Savings Account number, together with the amount they wish to deposit, their mobile number and their NIC number to the mCash agent, to proceed with the transaction.
Once the deposit is made, two automated text messages will be dispatched from HNB and SLT-Mobitel separately to the customer verifying the deposit. Each customer will be allowed to make a maximum deposit of Rs. 25,000 per day.
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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