Business
Cargills Bank expands banking convenience to 51 new Cargills supermarkets
Cargills Bank is unique among Sri Lankan banks in offering cash deposit and withdrawal facilities via Cargills Supermarket checkout counters through its Supermarket Banking service. Now, in a further landmark expansion of this initiative, Cargills Bank has announced that an additional 51 Cargills Supermarket outlets will provide this service, increasing the number of banking-enabled supermarkets from 479 locations to 530 supermarkets. This initiative leverages Cargills supermarkets’ extensive Islandwide retail network, and is part of the bank’s ongoing mission to drive inclusivity by bringing essential financial services closer to every corner of the country.
Cargills Bank was the first to introduce agency banking in Sri Lanka through a unique partnership with the Cargills Retail network, allowing customers to manage their basic banking needs while shopping for groceries.
This innovative “Bank while you shop” service provides convenient access to services such as deposits, withdrawals, and the collection of local and foreign remittances for Sri Lankans in both rural and urban areas.
This unique model stands out for many reasons. Cargills supermarkets operate 365 days a year, from 8.00am to 10.00pm, providing a level of accessibility that goes well beyond a conventional bank branch.
Additionally, customers benefit from a secure environment with human assistance, for a more personalised, customer-centric experience. Even non-customers can take advantage of this service, using the bank’s unique collection account facility to make third-party payments and settle bills at their local supermarket.
Commenting on this milestone, Senarath Bandara, MD/CEO of Cargills Bank said, “The expansion of supermarket banking is yet another step towards fulfilling our commitment to providing our customers with unmatched benefits and convenience. We are grateful to be supported by the Cargills Group, as we strive to be the most progressive and inclusive bank in Sri Lanka, providing innovative financial solutions that fulfil the needs of all Sri Lankans, whether in bustling cities or remote villages. We also take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, which has supported us in this initiative, as the Regulator, since we launched agency banking in 2017. These additional 51 locations have been added to our network with the approval and oversight of the Central Bank.”
Cargills Supermarket banking is particularly useful in towns and rural areas, where traditional banking services are less accessible..
Company stresses ambition to surpass this milestone
Eyes markets across Africa and beyond
In a groundbreaking achievement for Sri Lanka’s IT and electronics manufacturing industry, EWIS Colombo Ltd, the country’s first and only local computer manufacturer, has successfully exported its first consignment of locally built laptops to Zimbabwe.
This landmark event not only positions Sri Lanka as an emerging force in global IT hardware manufacturing but also highlights EWIS’s commitment to innovation, quality, and excellence on the international stage.
This historic shipment, dispatched from EWIS’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Samajasewapura, Sooriyawewa, underscores the company’s dedication to delivering world-class technology solutions. With over 11 years of expertise in manufacturing and assembly, EWIS Colombo Ltd has played a pivotal role in driving Sri Lanka’s ICT sector forward. As a Board of Investment (BOI) Section 17-approved company, EWIS has established the country’s first and only local computer manufacturing plant, paving the way for the nation’s growth in high-tech exports.
Speaking on this momentous achievement, Sanjeewa Wickramanayake, Chairman of EWIS Colombo Ltd, said: “This milestone is not just for EWIS but for Sri Lanka as a whole. It proves that our country has the talent, capability, and ambition to manufacture and export high-quality IT products, competing confidently on the global stage. As we continue expanding beyond local markets, we take immense pride in showcasing Sri Lanka’s excellence in technology and innovation to the world. EWIS’s commitment to world-class quality is reinforced by its ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, CE, FCC, and RoHS certifications, ensuring compliance with international quality, safety, and environmental standards.”
Speaking further he said:
“For nearly four decades, EWIS has been a trailblazer in Sri Lanka’s ICT sector, delivering cutting-edge solutions for education, businesses, and government enterprises.
With over 11 years of local manufacturing and assembly expertise, EWIS has continuously refined its capabilities to produce high-quality, internationally competitive IT hardware. The successful export to Zimbabwe represents a bold step toward expanding EWIS’s global footprint, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s potential as a world-class technology and manufacturing hub.”
Dialog Television, Sri Lanka’s #1 Pay-TV service provider, has partnered with Emerging Media to enhance the convenience and effectiveness of advertising. This collaboration brings together Dialog Television’s world-class entertainment, featuring 18 advertisable channels across genres such as movies, edutainment, kids, music, sports, and local content, with Emerging Media’s expertise in digital advertising and targeted marketing. This synergy creates a seamless platform for businesses to maximize brand exposure across multiple channels.
With a reach of over 1.7 million households, Dialog Television provides advertisers with a powerful avenue to engage diverse audiences. Brands can place advertisements on leading international and local channels such as &flix, Star Movies, TLC, Animal Planet, AXN, Zee Café, Comedy Central, Star Plus, A+, Nickelodeon, Star Vijay, Zee Tamil, Star Sports, Ten Cricket, Sony SIX, ThePapare TV, Channel One, Citi Hitz and Channel C. Through this partnership, Emerging Media will facilitate advertising sales, allowing businesses to target specific viewer segments while simplifying the media buying process with a single point of contact.
Commenting on the partnership, Lim Li San, Group Chief Operating Officer at Dialog Axiata PLC, stated, “As Sri Lanka’s premier Pay-TV service provider, we serve more than 1.7 million households with over 6 million pairs of captive eyeballs across Sri Lanka. Today, we are excited to embark on this partnership with Emerging Media to avail our Dialog Television platform and brand strength to provide quality advertisement exposure and customer engagement to local businesses across Sri Lanka.”
The International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS), a pioneer in healthcare training for over 23 years, has partnered with the University of Surrey, UK, to revolutionise healthcare education in Sri Lanka and the broader South Asian region. This will create a world-class academic pathway for aspiring nursing and healthcare professionals, as well as young individuals seeking careers in the field. Under this agreement, IIHS and the University of Surrey will introduce a series of academic initiatives to enhance healthcare training and accessibility.
These include delivering internationally recognised nursing programmes that allow Sri Lankan and regional students to earn globally competitive qualifications in Sri Lanka.
Commenting on the move, Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe, CEO & Dean of Undergraduate Studies at IIHS, said: “This MOU marks a significant step in our mission to deliver world-class healthcare education to Sri Lanka and the region. IIHS remains dedicated to shaping the future of healthcare professionals and fostering global healthcare leadership.” Dr. Shelini Surendran, Associate Dean (International) at the University of Surrey, emphasised: “Sri Lanka is establishing itself as a regional education hub, and this partnership ensures students across Asia can access top-tier UK healthcare education at IIHS. By bridging academic excellence with accessibility, we provide students with a clear pathway to their professional goals.”
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