Business
Sampath Bank introduces Visa Corporate Fuel Card
Sampath Bank announced the launch of the Sampath Visa Corporate Fuel Card, in prepaid card and credit card formats, to empower businesses of all sizes to go hassle free with their fuel payments.
Businesses can offer this card to their employees to make cashless payments at any fuel station around the island. They can assign predefined transaction limits and impose restrictions on non-fuel transactions. The Sampath Visa Corporate Fuel Card allows cardholders to make contactless payments by simply tapping the card on the POS machine.
Sampath Bank is waiving off the joining fee and first year annual fee on these cards and offering the tailor-made service at a nominal fuel surcharge. The Bank is also offering free e-statements and SMS Alert facilities to help businesses keep track of each card transaction through to a central administrative point.
On the whole, this convenient and secure solution from Sampath Bank is set to simplify and streamline the monitoring and management of any business’s fuel expenses.
The launch of this new cashless payment solution is part of Sampath Bank’s ongoing efforts to encourage businesses to increasingly adopt digitization for their daily transactions, in line with the Government and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s vision for the nation’s payments landscape.
It comes at a time when employees of most companies are working remotely due to the global pandemic and will hence help businesses avoid unnecessary delays and disruptions to day-to-day operations.
“Traditionally, fuel expenses have involved dealing with cash, fuel allowance chits, fuel station bills, etc. We are delighted to simplify the whole process with the introduction of the Sampath Visa Corporate Fuel Card. Businesses can now offer staff members individual fuel cards with predefined limits and restrictions to make payments at any fuel station around the island. They will be able to monitor every transaction in near real time. This will also have a positive impact on their payments, bookkeeping and reporting processes. We invite our business customers to avail themselves of the convenience and security offered by the Sampath Visa Corporate Fuel Card and gain greater control over their fuel expenses,” said Darshin Pathinayake, Head of Card Centre, Sampath Bank PLC. “We remain committed to leveraging technology to develop and deliver market relevant financial solutions that offer greater value to the nation.”
Anthony Watson, Country Manager, Sri Lanka and Maldives, Visa, said, “In line with our commitment to helping businesses digitize more processes, the corporate fuel card is an apt solution for them to manage fuel expenses. By choosing contactless card payments over cash at fuel stations, businesses not just make quicker payments but have visibility into their daily fuel expenses. We are delighted to partner with Sampath Bank to announce the launch of this new offering for businesses.”
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.”
