Business
Sampath Bank sweeps victory at Technnovation Awards
Sampath Bank was judged ‘Most Innovative Bank’ at the LankaPay Technnovation Awards 2022, a gala event held recently at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo. Winners were picked by a distinguished panel of judges with long experience in banking and financial services.
The awards were based on customer-centric criteria–on how quickly and completely the bank’s customers embraced new transactional technology. In effect, the bank’s own customers won the award for Sampath Bank.
The bank can also thank its customers for a Silver Award, the ‘Overall Award for Excellence in Inter-bank Digital Payments (Banking Institutions),’ plus two more coveted Gold Awards for ‘Bank of the Year for Excellence in Customer Convenience (Category A),’ and for ‘Best Acquirer on LankaPay Online Payment Platform’. Sampath Bank also won the Merit award for ‘Bank of the Year for Financial Inclusivity (Category A).’
“This validates our customer-centric approach. The fact that Sampath has won Gold in the ‘Bank of the Year for Excellence in Customer Convenience – Category A’, proves that Sampath Bank is not only identifying and introducing the right innovative technology for customer convenience; but the larger point is that our customers are actually embracing these new ways of transacting banking business, like Touchless Cash Withdrawals. The judges took note of the very high rates of customer engagement with these innovations,” said Tharaka Ranwala – Senior Deputy General Manager – Group Marketing, Deposit Mobilization and Digitalization, Sampath Bank PLC. “We focused on convenience and ease of use, putting a wide array of transactional options at our customers’ fingertips. And we are extremely glad to see them using technology very freely.”
“The user experience is the critical factor. Introducing new technology is an interactive process. You need to see how customers interact with it and then tweak it over time to smooth out the rough edges, so to speak,” said Ajith Salgado – Group Chief Information Officer, Sampath Bank PLC. “Over the last three decades, Sampath Bank has placed its prime focus on enhancing customer experience through IT solutions and has been the trend-setter for IT innovations in the Sri Lankan banking industry. Winning multiple awards at the LankaPay Technnovation Awards 2022 is a great inspiration for the bank to continue the efforts of developing unique and creative solutions in a competitive environment where IT and banking is becoming inseparable.”
The LankaPay Technnovation Awards were inaugurated four years ago to recognize and celebrate those members of the financial sector who have done the most to promote the national transition to digital payments. Aiming to drive financial inclusivity in the country–a key objective of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka–the Technnovation Awards are meant to encourage widespread adoption of the national payment network. The awards criteria for 2022 included interbank transactions during the period from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021, and encompassed twelve award categories.
This year’s theme was, appropriately enough, ‘Honouring the Digital Superheroes,’ to recognize the contributions made by banks, non-banking financial institution (NBFIs), and FinTech companies toward delivering payment technology innovations despite the constraints of a global pandemic.
Despite the contemporary obstacles faced by the banking sector in Sri Lanka, Sampath Bank has successfully maintained all its capital ratios well above regulatory requirements throughout 2021. With a total asset value of Rs. 1.2 trillion, this reflects strongly as an indication of the Bank’s stability. Meanwhile, its deposit book stood at Rs 978 Bn at the end of 2021, and continues to enjoy a year on year growth rate of 10.3%. All the while, Sampath Bank has implemented all government-led moratorium schemes for eligible customer segments affected by the pandemic. The Bank’s digitalisation strategy has also continued to prove its worth during these trying times by securing a more accessible and safer banking experience for customers.
Sampath Bank is a 100% locally-owned 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 with numerous innovations to its credit. It continues to be a market leader today thanks to its customer-focused approach to banking. Sampath Bank has introduced many firsts to the Sri Lankan banking sector. These include the introduction of automated teller machines (ATMs) to Sr Lanka, extended banking hours for the convenience of customers, slip-less banking and touchless ATM withdrawals. The bank continues to steadily transform itself into a technology-driven financial services provider whilst keeping true to its traditions, values and ideals.
09 March 2026; Colombo – SriLankan Airlines would like to inform passengers that it is resuming daily services to Riyadh tonight and Dubai tomorrow, while continuing to closely monitor the situation in the Middle East and prioritising the safety and wellbeing of its passengers and crew.
The following flights are scheduled to operate:
For more information please contact: 1979 (within Sri Lanka); +94 11 777 1979 (international); WhatsApp +94 74 444 1979 (chat only); your travel agent; visit www.srilankan.com; or follow us on social media.
Global oil prices have jumped above $100 (£75.11) a barrel for the first time since 2022 as the escalating US-Israeli war with Iran has fuelled fears of prolonged disruption to shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran on Sunday named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as Supreme Leader, signalling that a week into the conflict hardliners remain in charge of the country.
The US and Israel launched fresh waves of airstrikes across Iran over the weekend, hitting multiple targets including oil depots.
Major disruption to energy supplies from the region threatens to push up prices for consumers and businesses around the world.
Early on Monday in Asia, Brent crude was around 15.5% higher at $107.16, while Nymex light sweet was up by more than 17% at $106.77.
Stock markets in the Asia-Pacific region fell sharply in early trading on Monday, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 index down by more than 5% and the ASX 200 in Australia more than 3.5% lower.
Many in the markets predicted that oil would hit the $100 a barrel mark this week.
In the event it took about a minute to jump 10%, and then another 15 minutes to rise a further 10% in early Asian trading.
Last week the markets had been relatively relaxed about the seeming nightmare scenario for millions of barrels of crude and liquefied natural gas trapped in the Gulf, unable or unwilling to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
But the escalations over the weekend, alongside scenes of destruction of energy infrastructure both in Iran and across the Gulf, saw the markets take rapid fright.
The question now is where does this go? Some analysts argue that if the shutdown in the strait lasts until the end of March, we could see record oil prices above $150 a barrel.
The existing rise is likely to further increase petrol prices, and those of important derivative products such as jet fuel and vital precursors for fertilisers.
The physical supplies from the Gulf are mainly consumed in Asia.
Already however there are signs that Asian consumers are bidding up prices for US gas, with some tankers originally heading for Europe turning around in the mid-Atlantic.
US President Donald Trump responded to the jump in prices by saying that short term rises were a “small price to pay” for removing Iran’s nuclear threat.
His energy secretary told US broadcasters on Sunday that Israel, not the US, was targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure, amid some concern about rising domestic pump prices caused by the war.
(BBC)
The Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association (CMTA) has issued a stark cautionary note to prospective vehicle buyers, warning that the initial price advantage of reconditioned imports often masks significant long-term financial risks.
By highlighting a “structural imbalance” in the current duty valuation system – which allows near-identical vehicles to be imported under a 15% automatic depreciation bracket – the CMTA argues that the lack of manufacturer-backed warranties and tropicalised specifications in the grey market could lead to a “reconditioned trap” for unsuspecting consumers. For the savvy buyer, the association suggests that the true cost of ownership is increasingly tilting the scales in favour of brand-new vehicles from authorised agents.
If two identical 2026 models are sitting on different lots, and one is significantly cheaper because it was technically “registered and de-registered” abroad, the frugal buyer’s instinct is to take the discount. But the CMTA argues that this 15% depreciation benefit – intended for genuine used cars – is being leveraged as a loophole for zero-mileage vehicles.
For the savvy buyer, this raises a fundamental question of transparency. If the entry price of a vehicle is built on a “procedural” technicality rather than actual wear and tear, where else is the transparency lacking? Does the lower price reflect a genuine saving passed to the consumer, or does it mask a lack of manufacturer-backed after-sales support?
When a buyer chooses an authorised agent, they are essentially purchasing an insurance policy against the unknown. With a five-year manufacturer warranty, the financial burden of a faulty transmission or a software glitch stays with the global giant that built the car, not the local owner. In an era where vehicles are increasingly “computers on wheels,” the technical specialised tools and genuine parts held by authorised agents are no longer a luxury – they are a necessity for longevity.
The CMTA’s perspective also invites the buyer to look at the “Big Picture.” Every time a vehicle is imported under an under-declared value or an artificial depreciation bracket, it isn’t just a loss for the Treasury; it is a blow to the country’s foreign exchange discipline.
“A savvy buyer today is more informed than ever. They realize that a “cheap” import with no service history and no tropicalised specifications may eventually become a “minus” on the balance sheet. Frequent repairs and lower resale value can quickly evaporate the initial few lakhs saved at the point of purchase. Ultimately, the choice between brand new and used is a choice between certainty and speculation,” the Association says.
The CMTA is advocating for a level playing field where duty is based on true transaction value. Until that day comes, the burden of due diligence rests on the consumer. To be a “savvy buyer” in 2026 means looking past the showroom shine and asking: Who stands behind this car if something goes wrong tomorrow?
In conclusion, CMTA says,” For those seeking long-term peace of mind, the “brand new” path – supported by a transparent duty structure and a solid warranty – remains the gold standard for steering Sri Lanka’s complex automotive landscape.”
Before signing the papers on a reconditioned vehicle, the CMTA suggests buyers evaluate the four “minus” factors against a “brand new” purchase:
By Sanath Nanayakkare
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