Business
‘LANKAQR Nationwide Rollout Campaign’ moves to Tangalle, with SDB bank taking On lead role
Launched by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), the ‘LANKAQR Nationwide Rollout Campaign’ proceeded to the city of Tangalle on Saturday 27th November, drawing the participation of numerous high-profile guests together with many of the country’s top banks, financial institutions, and telcos with SDB bank assuming a lead role.
A continuation of the CBSL-led islandwide LANKAQR promotion campaign, which witnessed the hosting of a series of events across the country in major cities including Matale, Galle, Colombo and Kandy, the ‘LANKAQR Nationwide Rollout Campaign’ with its edition in Tangalle advanced on efforts to introduce LANKAQR as the standard for mobile phone and digital payments countrywide.
Held in Tangalle town, the event was graced by the Chief Guest, Minister Namal Rajapakse, top Central Bank officials including D. Kumaratunge, Assistant Governor CBSL, together with top level representatives from all participating banks, financial institutions and telcos.
SDB bank CEO Thilak Piyadigama, the CBSL-appointed Chairman of the LANKAQR Committee delivered the welcome address, pointing out the critical nature of the vision shared by all participating individuals and organizations, in advancing towards a cashless economy plus a digital-savvy country and improved financial inclusion across Sri Lanka.
The Tangalle-leg of the LANKAQR Nationwide Rollout Campaign furthered the program’s wider vision of introducing digital transactions as the norm locally, an aim that is closely linked to SDB bank-owned mobile payment app UPay’s extensive efforts to take digital payment conveniences to each corner of the island.
The event also featured the conducting of specific transactions on-location through the use of LANKAQR, involving the Chief Guest and top officials from all participating banks, financial institutions and telcos. The numerous activities outlined for the day concluded with the visiting of select merchant stores by participating guests, to conduct further LANKAQR-based transactions.
The greatly improved payment functionality offered by QR-based digital payments allows for a range of benefits to both individual consumers and merchants. While offering customers anytime, anywhere payment capabilities, it also facilitates the ability to track finances and spending patterns with greater accuracy. Parallelly, it provides the convenience of real-time transactions to merchants, nurturing a more vibrant economy in both rural and urban spaces countrywide, specifically through the offering of low-cost digital payment solutions to both SMEs and informal businesses, mirroring UPay’s approach under the guidance of SDB bank.
The consequent digital payment plus transaction ecosystem affords a higher degree of commercial transparency, promotes a greater volume of economic activity, and thereby is set to positively impact the national economy as a whole.
With the recent leg of the LANKAQR Nationwide Rollout Campaign held in Tangalle, further public awareness was built on the convenience, cost-effective nature and security of LANKAQR-based digital payments for customers as well as merchants, amplified by top banking entities like SDB bank adding greater momentum towards the national vision of a progressive transformation to a digital economy.
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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