Business
FriMi Marks 5 years of Revolutionizing the Sri Lankan Fintech Industry
FriMi, the first fully-fledged digital bank in Sri Lanka powered by Nations Trust Bank PLC, recently marked 5 years of revolutionizing the Fintech industry in Sri Lanka. The mobile wallet and payments platform – wrapped up in one lifestyle app and packed with a multitude of innovative features to make life effortless – is set to celebrate their anniversary by rewarding customers through exciting promotions and activities throughout the month of July.
Offering ultimate convenience, FriMi allows customers to perform various tasks from making payments to moving money to saving money and even opening a bank account, 100% digitally via the app. Cashless payments include LANKAQR, Remote payments, Bill & Credit Card payments, Physical and Virtual Debit Cards, whereas Send Money, Cash Tokens and Fund Transfer options help move money seamlessly. The app also promotes saving in a meaningful and effortless way through features such as Saving Pots, Round Up Savings, Bucketlist and Digital Fixed Deposits – most of them being first of its kind in Sri Lanka.
Hemantha Gunetilleke, Director/CEO of Nations Trust Bank PLC commented, “This 5-year milestone is an achievement for both FriMi and the Bank as it is a true testament of our continued efforts to reimagine banking in the digital world. Disrupting the banking industry since 2017, FriMi has not only evolved with pioneering products and services but has also played an important role in championing and enabling contactless payments across the country. We’re proud to have been a part of various national-level initiatives such as the implementation of the digital KYC process with the Department of Registered Persons and the enablement of LANKAQR payments at all the Expressway toll pay points and we will remain committed to uplifting Sri Lanka towards a digital forward economy.”
The FriMi app has been internationally recognized by The Asian Banker as one of the ‘Top 30 Best Digital Financial Services Providers in the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa’ and by the International Business Magazine Awards 2021 as the ‘Most Innovative Contactless Payments Application in Sri Lanka’. Locally, FriMi was recently awarded the ‘Online Brand of the Year 2021’ – Bronze at the SLIM Brand Excellence Awards 2021 and has been named one of the ‘Top 10 E-Commerce brands of Sri Lanka’ by the LMD Brands Annual Report 2020.
“As the first lifestyle and digital banking experience in Sri Lanka, FriMi has been encouraging the behaviour of contactless payments and providing a range of unique services that go beyond banking, creating true value for the customer. I want to take this opportunity to thank all of our loyal FriMians, partners and merchants who’ve been onboard with us in the last 5 years and of course, the FriMi team who have supported us throughout our revolutionary journey in Sri Lanka’s digital payments landscape,” said Randil Boteju, Senior Vice President, Acquisition & Digital Banking of Nations Trust Bank.
“We really look forward to introducing more unique and revolutionary digital solutions to make our customer’s lives even more effortless, while also making a positive contribution to the digital ecosystem in Sri Lanka,” added Boteju.
FriMi is available on Android, iOS and Harmony OS and anyone in Sri Lanka above the age of 18 years can get on board FriMi by downloading the app. FriMi is powered by Nations Trust Bank PLC which is among the top 15 business establishments in Sri Lanka as ranked by Business Today and is strongly focused on digital empowerment through cutting-edge digital banking technologies.
By Ifham Nizam
As Sri Lanka gears up for a transformative shift in its energy sector, the Results Delivery Framework (RDF) 2025-26 lays out a strategic roadmap toward a cleaner, more sustainable and people-centric energy future.
Eng. Pubudu Niroshan Hedigallage, Director General, Power Sector Reforms Secretariat and a member of the Energy Committee, emphasizes the critical role of public awareness and global integration in achieving these ambitious goals.
“The success of our energy transition depends on people being on the same page, says Hedigallage. “We need a unified approach where policies align with public interest, ensuring energy security while reducing our carbon footprint.”
The RDF focuses on three main pillars:
Affordable and Secure, Cleaner Energy Supply
Smart and Sensible, People-Centric Energy
Strategic Global Integration in the Energy Sector
To achieve energy security and affordability, Sri Lanka is set to establish a National Energy Policy & Planning Office (NEPPO) in the first half of 2025. This office will serve as the central body for policy formulation and planning, ensuring a structured approach to clean energy adoption.
A key initiative is the “Rivi Bala Punarudaya” solar program, aiming to add 2,000 MW of solar energy within five years. “Solar power is one of the most viable solutions for Sri Lanka. It’s time to accelerate large-scale adoption, Hedigallage asserts.
Additionally, the government plans to begin competitive procurement for 1,000 MW of wind energy along the Puttalam-Jaffna coastal belt by mid-2025.
Hedigallage stresses the importance of policy reforms to align industrial and regulatory frameworks. “Introducing the Energy Transition Act in late 2025 will harmonize all sector-related laws, ensuring smoother implementation of new initiatives, he explains.
Other people-centric initiatives include:
Amendments to the Electricity Act to facilitate restructuring within the energy sector.
A Demand Response Program, developed with the Ministry of Digital Economy, to optimize energy consumption.
A techno-commercial collaboration program connecting universities, industries and utilities to drive innovation.
The Women-in-Energy National Program, launching in late 2025, to increase female participation in the sector.
Recognizing the importance of international collaboration, the RDF aims to position Sri Lanka as a key player in the global energy market.
A state agency for green hydrogen initiatives will be established in late 2025 to explore hydrogen as an alternative energy source.
By early 2026, a digital risk management dashboard will be launched to monitor reservoir levels, fuel inventories, and energy demand in real time.
The Green Energy Certification Unit, to be established in 2026, will authenticate renewable energy usage with Renewable Energy Certificates (REC).
ESG (Environment, Sustainability, and Governance) frameworks will be introduced to ensure sustainable energy sector practices.
A global energy forum will be launched in 2026 to connect Sri Lanka to international energy value chains.
With these ambitious plans, Sri Lanka is set to become a leader in clean energy in the region. “Our energy future is not just about technology and infrastructure; it’s about people, policy, and partnerships, Hedigallage added.
Mintpay, a pioneering financial app reshaping how people pay in Sri Lanka, has announced a landmark partnership with Softlogic Restaurants. This collaboration aims to enhance the dining experience for food enthusiasts by offering convenient, secure, and flexible payment options. Softlogic Restaurants, renowned for its portfolio of beloved brands such as Burger King, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Crystal Jade, Delifrance, and Baskin Robbins, will now enable customers to enjoy a wide variety of cuisines through Mintpay’s seamless digital payment solution.
Mintpay Account Manager Sasra Wickrama Arachchi stated, “At Mintpay, we aim to transform every payment into a rewarding moment, and we believe this partnership with Softlogic Restaurants delivers on that promise, making every meal more rewarding.”
Mintpay Senior Business Development Executive Faziha Farhan added, “At Mintpay, we’re always expanding our network by partnering with brands that share our vision for seamless and rewarding payments. We’re excited to welcome Burger King, the first global QSR brand in Sri Lanka to integrate Mintpay, alongside other renowned Softlogic restaurants. This partnership marks another step in transforming the dining experience for all our customers, offering greater flexibility and convenience whenever they use Mintpay.”
Business
Haleon partners Sri Lanka Dental Association as Official Sponsor for World Oral Health Day 2025
Haleon Sri Lanka formerly known as GlaxoSmithKline Healthcare; the first multinational pharmaceutical manufacturing organization in Sri Lanka, which commenced manufacturing in 1956 with the flagship brands Panadol, Iodex Eno etc., signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Sri Lanka Dental Association (SLDA) as the official sponsor of World Oral Health Day 2025 in Sri Lanka. The formal signing ceremony took take place on Friday, February 28, 2025. The global theme for this year is “A happy mouth is … a happy mind” which emphasises the importance of oral health on quality of life and wellbeing.
The partnership between SLDA and Haleon; Marketers of Sensodyne aims to transform the conventional methods of celebrating World Oral Health Day. The landmark agreement reimagines World Oral Health Day with an awareness-driven approach themed “#BeSensitiveToOralHealth: Take the first step.” The month-long March campaign will educate Sri Lankans about proactive oral healthcare through strategic messaging across traditional and digital platforms, encouraging everyone to prioritize their oral health. The collaboration represents a significant commitment to improving oral health awareness and access to dental care across Sri Lanka.
Haleon and SLDA will work together to extend awareness that results in tangible healthcare benefits nationwide. Free dental screening facilities will be provided across the island, benefiting approximately 50,000 Sri Lankans.
Beginning March 20th, World Oral Health Day, will take place as a national event at Galle Face, Colombo will serve as the campaign centrepiece, offering free dental screenings, oral cancer assessments, and teeth sensitivity tests to increase public understanding of good oral health practices. All SLDA members will actively participate in this nationwide health initiative making quality dental care accessible to communities throughout the country.
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