Business
PickMe partners with LankaQR to reduce the dollar outflow
PickMe, Sri Lanka’s Number One ride hailing company, recently partnered with LankaQR to facilitate direct payments. LankaQR (LQR) is a common Quick Response (QR) code standard adopted by financial institutions in Sri Lanka to facilitate fast, secure and low-cost digital payments to any merchant, especially small and medium enterprises. It enables customers to pay merchants directly from their bank accounts (CASA) and credit & debit cards using a LankaQR compliant mobile payment app. PickMe has also enabled Master and Visa network QR payments simultaneously through this initiative. Their goal is to deliver a convenient and safer experience to their customers, merchants and drivers.
“As a registered Sri Lankan company, we believe it is crucial at this juncture to enable transactions that are done locally in terms of transferring funds. Not only is it convenient for our customers but it is also the best thing for the nation, especially now,”says Zulfer Jiffry, CEO of PickMe.
PickMe customers can now pay their fares via the LankaQR common QR code. The easy to use QR code system allows customers to simply scan and authenticate their payments for rides or deliveries. Payments can be made through smartphone or tablet that has the LankaQR enabled app.
“With the dollar continuing to rise against the rupee, we have taken a decision to do everything possible to reduce pressure on the demand. This is why we have opted to provide this very local option to our customers. We hope to make our customers aware at this very crucial time for the Sri Lankan economy, that every time they do transactions which culminate outside the country, it only helps the current crisis to become bigger. We really don’t need to compromise our much needed dollars to buy our daily needs or pay for our food and taxis,” reiterated Jiffry.
“We are happy that PickMe has included this method of payment in their offering because these will be domestic transactions that would ease pressure on the dollar demand. This step by PickMe is a boost to local solutions,” says Dharmasri Kumaratunga, Director – Payments and Settlements, Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
The use of a QR code also ensures safety since it is a cashless transaction, which limits unnecessary contact and helps maintain hygiene during these pandemic times. PickMe is in the process of partnering with banks on the LankaQR platform to further ensure ease of payments to their customers.
Currently both India and China have prioritised QR code payments. India launched Bharat QR in October 2020. According to a report released by the Chinese card payment giant, China UnionPay, 85 percent of users had scanned QR codes to pay last year, indicating how well the system had integrated with Chinese consumers’ daily lives.
Payment methods using QR codes are tried and tested and have been in use around the world for several years now. We believe this effective and convenient platform is the way forward for both our customers and merchants.
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.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
