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.
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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