Business
iPay appointed as the official LANKA QR acquiring partner of PickMe
The LANKAQR Nationwide Rollout Campaign was launched recently at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) with the aim of promoting LANKAQR payments amongst the small and medium merchants as well as consumers throughout the nation. During this national event, iPay ceremonially launched the fare enablement feature for QR payment acceptance for rides and deliveries carried out through PickMe. iPay partnered with the country’s first and leading ride-hailing app, PickMe, to offer the best of convenience to its customers throughout the nation. Through this partnership of national importance, iPay has enabled LankaQR payments via CASA (Current Accounts, Savings Accounts) to PickMe users. Payments can be made via iPay or any LankaQR enabled app.
The event was held under the patronage of Namal Rajapaksa, Minister of Youth and Sports, Minister of Development Coordination and Monitoring and State Minister of Digital Technology and Entrepreneur Development, participating as the Chief Guest. The event was held on the invitation of the Governor of CBSL, Ajith Nivard Cabraal.
During the event, CBSL facilitated the on-boarding of several government and retail institutions by LANKAQR certified banks so that these institutions may now accept LANKAQR payments from customers. With this nationwide rollout campaign, the CBSL is confident that the general public will utilize LANKAQR for their daily transactions, at a greater frequency.
LankaQR code is the standardized national quick response code introduced to Sri Lanka by the CBSL. It is used as a form factor to represent a merchant accepting payment and will enable the digitalization of the payment ecosystem in Sri Lanka between customers and merchants. Customers can make payments via LankaQR by simply scanning the code presented by a merchant, using any digital payment app which adheres to the LankaQR standard. The LankaQR technical specifications are issued by the CBSL, while its operating guidelines as well as its branding guidelines are issued by LankaClear (Pvt) Ltd, with prior approval from the CBSL.
Commenting about the LANKAQR Nationwide Rollout Campaign, Conrad Dias, Director/CEO of LOLC Finance PLC said, “In the current context of the global pandemic, it is imperative to reduce the usage of cash than ever before and move towards digital payment methods – hence this initiative is extremely timely. As a leading and responsible payment aggregator in Sri Lanka, iPay is dedicated to support this transformation on a national scale and the partnership with PickMe is a testament to that promise. Backed by LOLC, Sri Lanka’s most valuable and globally diversified financial conglomerate, we will continue our efforts to propel this national cause”.
CEO of PickMe, Mr. Zulfer Jiffry noted that most card transactions result in a percentage going to a foreign company that facilitates the payment platform, even if the transaction is carried out locally. “LankaQR transactions are facilitated locally in Sri Lanka Rupees which prevents dollar outflow at a time when we need to preserve our foreign exchange. This is why we considered it important to introduce this platform to our partners and customers at this crucial time, collaborating with iPay. As a registered Sri Lankan company, we support this initiative and hope to make our customers aware that every time they do transactions which culminate outside the country, it only helps the current crisis to become bigger.”
iPay is a simple, easy to use, real-time payment platform built on an architecture that allows easy integration with any system. It has been designed with a host of features, giving the user a unique, one of a kind transaction experience. The vibrant and well-organized graphical user interface of iPay promises a unique experience whilst carrying out various types of payments. LOLC Finance currently operates as iPay’s merchant acquiring partner.
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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