Business
Sampath Bank, first Sri Lankan bank to enable online payments with UnionPay International 3DS 2.0
Sampath Bank PLC announced that its connection to UnionPay International (UPI) is now complete and that the Sampath Bank Payment Gateway powered by UnionPay 3DS 2.0 is open for business. Having thus strengthened its strategic commercial partnership with Paycorp International (Private) Limited (Paycorp International), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bancstac (Bancstac), this latest development provides Sampath Bank customers with an unprecedented level of security when they process and accept online payments from American Express, Diners Club and Discover Network Cardmembers through Paycorp International’s Internet Payment Gateway (IPG).
Developed by EMVCo–jointly owned by American Express, Visa, Mastercard and other major global payment solution enterprises–3D Secure 2.0 (3DS 2.0) technology provides a higher level of security with biometric authentication, eliminating the need for static passwords. The 3DS 2.0 protocol lets Sampath Bank customers make authenticated mobile, in-app and digital wallet transactions with ironclad security.
Sampath Bank’s commercial customers can already accept Visa, Mastercard and UnionPay International online payments through the Sampath Payment Gateway. What this new development means is that Sri Lankan merchants, vendors and other commercial enterprises can transact business while protected by the same enhanced security infrastructure as their counterparts in the financial capitals of the world.
Previously, businesses in Sri Lanka had to cobble together various payment gateways and technologies to process online payments for different groups of issuer networks. The strategic partnership between Sampath Bank and Paycorp International significantly simplified online payment transactions for businesses and government agencies across the island, giving a substantial boost to digital commerce in the country. This strategic partnership supports Sampath Bank’s continued efforts to accelerate the pace of acceptance, adoption and integration of innovative digital payment solutions in line with the Government and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s efforts to implement new technologies to streamline the payments and settlements infrastructure.
This new payment technology enables secure payment processing, payment gateway and payment aggregator services with direct connectivity to UPI, becoming the backbone of the bank’s transactional infrastructure while protecting businesses and consumers from fraud.
Darshin Pathinayake – Assistant General Manager, Card Center, Sampath Bank PLC, said: “We at Sampath Bank have always been committed to leveraging cutting-edge technologies to transform Sri Lanka’s financial services landscape by deploying innovative solutions that add more value to the nation. We help Sri Lankan businesses take their first steps in the world of digital commerce and empower our commercial customers with the tools to compete globally on an equal footing. Our longstanding partnership with Paycorp International has paid rich dividends. We are delighted to take this partnership to the next level, all the better to enhance our customers’ payment acceptance capabilities. Sampath Bank business and government customers can now seamlessly accept payments from six of the world’s major issuers, a capability that will fuel sales and business growth. We invite businesses of all types and sizes to turbocharge the payments processes on their e-commerce portals.”
Evan Lau – Director, Bancstac, said: “We are very pleased to integrate 3DS 2.0 functionality into the Sampath Bank Payment Gateway and to provide the bank’s customers with an additional layer of security. We are committed to modernizing Sri Lanka’s digital payment economy by making it easier for merchants, the government and the community to make transactions that are fast, safe and friction-free.”
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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