Business
Sampath Bank recognized with top honors for its innovative IT solutions
Continues to pioneer IT solutions in the Sri Lankan Banking and Finance industry
Sampath Bank was proud to be recognized at the NBQSA for the 9th consecutive year with several top honours for its innovative IT Solutions at the National Best Quality ICT Awards 2021 (NBQSA), which was held recently at the Sirimavo Bandaranayake Memorial Exhibition Centre, proving the bank is the pioneer in introducing State-of-Art IT solutions to the Banking and Finance industry in Sri Lanka.
NBQSA is a national level ICT competition organized by the Sri Lankan section of the British Computer Society (BCSSL), a leading professional society in the field of computers and information systems. Sampath Bank won the Gold Award for ‘Touchless Withdrawal’, the latest trend introduced by the bank as an innovative and preventive measure for the spread of Covid-19, under the Research and Development project category. The ‘Touchless Withdrawal’ solution was launched in August 2021 for the first time in Sri Lanka and possibly in the Asia Pacific region.
For this groundbreaking, innovative feature of ‘Touchless Withdrawal’, Sampath Bank PLC emerged ‘WINNER’ out of 17 countries at the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) Awards, hosted in Malaysia recently and currently stands as Sri Lanka’s only bank to have ever won an APICTA award. At the NBQSA 2021 ceremony, a special recognition was awarded for this victory in the presence of Hon. Minister Namal Rajapaksha.
Touchless Cash Withdrawal is a revolutionary digital solution to the Sri Lankan market. With this initiative, customers, and customers of all other banks in the country are now able to withdraw funds in their accounts and cards without even having to physically touch the machine, by visiting any of Sampath’s 450 ATMs located around the island. All they have to do is scan the QR code displayed on the ATM screen with the help of the Sampath WePay app.
Moreover, Sampath Bank was able to achieve the Merit Award for the ‘Blockchain Technology based Shared KYC Platform’ under the Research and Development project category and another Merit Award for the ‘Sampath Document Approval System’ under the In-house category.
Commenting on the bank’s achievements, Ajith Salgado – Group Chief Information Officer, Sampath Bank PLC, said, “As a banking and finance entity operating in these modern times, we at Sampath Bank always strive to stay ahead of IT and enhance the digital experience of our customers. That is why we’ve consciously dedicated our time and efforts to making steady progress in banking with technology. The recognition we’ve received is a testimony to that dedication and enthusiasm”
Sampath Bank is a 100% local bank that has deeply rooted itself in the hearts of the people of Sri Lanka. Established in 1987, the bank has become a state-of-the-art financial institution that continues to be a market leader today thanks to its constant innovation and customer focused approach to business. It has introduced many firsts to the Sri Lankan banking sector including the introduction of ATMs to Sri Lanka, extended banking hours and slip-less banking to name a few. The Bank continues to steadily transform itself into a technology-driven financial services provider whilst keeping true to its traditions and values.
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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