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Robocash Sri Lanka predicts significant growth in digital retail payments
Sri Lanka’s digital retail payments are poised for remarkable expansion, with the potential to reach up to Rs 77.2 trillion by 2027, according to analysis by Robocash Sri Lanka. This represents a substantial 128 percent increase from the 2022 level. The optimistic forecast by the company is contingent on the assumption that all major macroeconomic indicators will achieve equilibrium or exhibit stable positive trends over 12 quarters, commencing in 2024.
Robocash is a financial group of companies providing robotic financial services in the field of alternative lending and marketplace funding.In a less favourable long-term scenario, the company anticipates that the total volume of digital retail payments in Sri Lanka will still reach Rs 43.94 trillion by 2027, reflecting a 30 percent increase from the 2022 level.
Sri Lanka is known for its high rate of citizens with active bank accounts and is currently witnessing a burgeoning fintech expansion, displaying resilience even in the face of economic challenges. As of 2022, approximately 90 percent of the population holds active bank accounts, with an impressive 18.7 million debit cards in circulation. This has resulted in an outstanding 85 percent debit card usage rate, surpassing the global average of 51 percent.
However, the utilization of credit cards in Sri Lanka stands at 10 percent, slightly below the global average of 22 percent. Nonetheless, this trend bodes well for Sri Lanka’s fintech market, illustrating its potential for growth even in challenging economic conditions.
As of early 2023, Sri Lanka has made significant strides in embracing digitalization, boasting 14.6 million internet users and 7.2 million active social media users. The country’s digital literacy rate, on par with developed European Union (EU) countries at 57 percent, underscores the strong digital skills among its adult population.
The e-commerce sector in Sri Lanka is flourishing, with 5.5 million users and a market value of Rs.777.6 billion (US$ 2.4 billion) in 2023, primarily driven by the electronics segment. The e-commerce market is projected to maintain an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.29 percent from 2023 to 2027, reaching a market volume of Rs 1,387.52 billion (US$ 4.28 billion) by 2027.
Amid the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, digital payments in Sri Lanka have seen substantial growth, with transactions surging from Rs 5.6 trillion in 1Q2021 to Rs 9.4 trillion in 1Q2023, marking a 68 percent growth rate over two years. The value of transactions via the Lanka QR digital payment gateway reached Rs. 681 million in 3Q2023, demonstrating an 84 percent year-on-year growth.
Both the Sri Lankan government and the private sector have been instrumental in promoting digital payments, playing pivotal roles in enhancing digital payment solutions and fostering financial inclusion.
In the coming years, Sri Lanka plans to implement a Digital Government initiative aimed at streamlining digital identification and document digitization. This initiative is expected to significantly facilitate electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) for digital service providers and further boost fintech penetration.
Despite recent economic challenges, Sri Lanka’s fintech sector remains optimistic. The number of digital payment users is projected to reach 10 million by 2027, with a projected transaction value of Rs. 4,481.32 billion (US$ 13.83 billion), growing at a CAGR of 20.54 percent.
Mobile point-of-sale (POS) payments are expected to dominate, with 3.2 million users and a transaction value of Rs 2,342.16 billion (USD 7.24 billion). Additionally, the Digital Assets segment is on track to reach Rs. 3,978 million (US$ 12.25 million) in 2023, with a remarkable 56.5 percent revenue growth projected for 2024.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that Sri Lanka’s economy faces challenges, including high public debt, inflation risks, and limited foreign investments. The nation’s economic recovery hinges on structural reforms and political stability.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
