Business
LOLC Finance offers Working Capital at the click of a button
LOLC Finance PLC, Sri Lanka’s Non-Banking Financial Institution (NBFI), announced the unveiling of the Digital Speed Draft, its latest innovation.
Describing the facility as “yet another cutting-edge financial service that provides a high degree of convenience to its customers”, the LOLC Finance Digital Speed Draft is an advancement of the conventional facility that LOLC introduced over a decade ago.
Back then, the product was introduced primarily for raising working capital and for acquiring assets. However, this ground-breaking product which has now been re-introduced by LOLC Finance with a host of added features by linking it with the revolutionary payment aggregator platform, iPay offers unparalleled convenience and speed to customers seeking cash for diverse, urgent requirements, the company said in a press release.
Conrad Dias, Director/Chief Executive Officer of LOLC Finance PLC said, “With the digitalization of the LOLC Finance Speed Draft it will give the customer the opportunity of operating his or her Speed Draft facility from the comfort of their home or business premises where payments to third parties or withdrawals of their own accounts as well as repayments from any bank account is facilitated using the advanced iPay Digital Platform”.
Yanik Fernando, DGM, LOLC Finance East & Uva Region & Product Head of Speed Draft said, “This new product has all the features of any conventional overdraft facility, where the customer could experience firsthand, the flexibility to withdraw and repay whenever he deems it necessary using iPay.
The interest will be calculated on the daily balance. With the increasing trend towards ‘Fintech’ solutions, LOLC is confident that this groundbreaking product will be the most sought after working capital solution in the industry because it has been designed to give optimum convenience to customers who are especially engaged in dynamic MSME (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) businesses, he added.
iPay, a unique payment aggregator introduced by LOLC – Sri Lanka’s most valuable and globally diversified financial conglomerate is a simple, easy to use real-time payment platform built on an architecture that allows easy integration with any system. It has been designed with a host of features, giving the user a unique, one of a kind transaction experience.
With LOLC Finance operating as its merchant acquiring partner, iPay which includes a host of features designed to securely integrate the customer and merchant ecosystem, makes it a true Fintech (Financial Technology) platform.
In addition to SME business owners, the new LOLC Finance Speed Draft facility can also be used for various individual needs ranging from acquiring assets such as vehicles and property as well as to raise quick funding for medical emergencies, child education and overseas travel needs.
Business
SLT-MOBITEL driving Sri Lanka’s economic resilience through digital infrastructure
Corporate accolades underscore the alignment between its operational excellence and national development
In an era where national competitiveness is intrinsically tied to digital connectivity, strengthening the country’s digital backbone has become an urgent priority. Within this context, the evolving role of Sri Lanka’s leading telecommunications provider, SLT-MOBITEL, offers valuable insight into how technological infrastructure can underpin broader economic resilience.
Telecommunications and digital networks are foundational to economic transformation. By expanding high-speed broadband access, upgrading enterprise cloud capabilities, and bridging the urban-rural connectivity divide, SLT-MOBITEL helps reduce business transaction costs, streamline supply chains, and enable micro, small, and medium enterprises to reach global markets.
Recent corporate accolades further underscore this alignment between operational excellence and national development. SLT-MOBITEL’s triple triumph at the National Business Excellence Awards 2026 – winning in the Infrastructure and Utilities sector, Performance Management, and ICT Services categories – highlights its growing impact. Notably, the recognition of eChannelling’s contributions to digital healthcare reflects a broader strategic pivot toward integrated technology solutions.
“Institutional efficiency of this nature is critical for attracting foreign direct investment, as global partners increasingly assess a country’s digital maturity and systemic stability before committing capital,” noted industry observers.
Moreover, the company’s transition from a conventional telecom utility to a comprehensive digital solutions provider aligns seamlessly with Sri Lanka’s national digitalisation agenda. As the country pursues public sector modernisation, enhanced e-governance, and a competitive knowledge economy, the private sector must step up to deliver secure, scalable, and future-ready networks. Investments in data centres, cybersecurity frameworks, and advanced ICT infrastructure act as strategic buffers, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s economic apparatus remains agile and resilient amid future global uncertainties.
However, industry experts caution that while these achievements are commendable, SLT-MOBITEL still has a considerable distance to cover in fully enabling a truly digital economy.
Business
Port City Colombo strengthens Gulf investment ties at Dubai diplomatic engagement
Port City Colombo (PCC) took a prominent role as Platinum Sponsor at the second edition of Sri Lanka Beyond Your Dreams, a high-level diplomatic and investment engagement hosted by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The event, held on 2nd September 2026 at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, brought together over 400 senior UAE-based business leaders, investors, diplomats, and institutional stakeholders, alongside Sri Lanka’s most senior government representatives.
The gathering was graced by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, as Guest of Honour, and Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. A high-level Sri Lankan delegation – including the Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Board of Investment, the Chairman of the Export Development Board, and the Director General of Commerce – underscored the government’s strong commitment to deepening economic diplomacy with the UAE.
In his keynote address, Minister Herath reaffirmed the centuries-old ties between Sri Lanka and the Arab region, emphasising the UAE’s vital role as a key economic partner. He stressed the urgency of finalising a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE, which would establish a robust framework to elevate trade, investment, and bilateral cooperation. Declaring Sri Lanka “open and ready for business,” he positioned Port City Colombo as the physical embodiment of this economic mission – a modern Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with a dedicated legal framework and competitive incentives, offering UAE investors a natural gateway to South Asia while maintaining strong Gulf connectivity.
Business
American Premium Water strikes Gold at Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026
American Premium Water has secured four wins at Dragons of Sri Lanka Awards 2026, including three Gold Dragons and one Black Dragon, marking a significant milestone for the brand following its relaunch last year.
Part of the prestigious Dragons of Asia awards, Dragons of Sri Lanka brings the program’s regional platform to the local market, celebrating creative and effective marketing communications, with entries evaluated on strategic thinking, creativity, execution and impact. Established in 2000, Dragons of Asia is one of Asia’s premier results-driven marketing awards programs.
For American Premium Water, the achievements are particularly significant given that the company’s debut at the Dragons awards has resulted in four Dragons across four categories. In the distinction of Gold Dragons, American Premium Water was recognized across three categories including Product Launch or Re Launch, Cause, Environment or Sustainability and Creative Excellence while the Black Dragon was awarded in recognition of Small Budget.
Competing alongside leading brands and agencies in Sri Lanka, American Premium Water’s four wins demonstrate the strength and effectiveness of its recent work. Winning three Gold Dragons across three distinct categories highlights the breadth of the brand’s achievements, while the Black Dragon for Small Budget further emphasizes its ability to create meaningful impact through focused and efficient investment.
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