Business
Sampath PayBand to herald a new era in convenient and secure transactions
A payment choice key to attracting tech-savvy and younger consumers
The innovative product launched in partnership with VISA
As the global trend towards contactless payments continues to surge, Sampath Bank last week unveiled its latest innovation: Sampath PayBand, the versatile Wearable Payment Device.
This groundbreaking solution promises to redefine the transaction landscape in Sri Lanka, catering to the evolving preferences of the younger generation and tech-savvy consumers. Representing a significant milestone as the country’s first of its kind, Sampath PayBand, heralds a new era in convenient and secure transactions.
Designed with a meticulous focus on enhancing the customer experience and streamlining payment processes, Sampath PayBand features a sleek Silicon Wristband embedded with a payment chip. Seamlessly integrated with Sampath Bank Savings accounts, this cutting-edge device empowers users to effortlessly make transactions with a simple tap or wave at any NFC-enabled POS terminal. Gone are the days of cumbersome wallets, forgotten cards, and misplaced phones – Sampath PayBand offers unparalleled convenience at every touchpoint.
“At Sampath Bank, we are dedicated to driving innovation and embracing emerging technologies to meet the evolving needs of our customers,” said Shiran Kossinna – Assistant General Manager Card Centre at Sampath Bank. “With the introduction of Sampath PayBand, a Wearable Payment Device, we aim to provide a seamless and hassle-free shopping experience, empowering our customers with the freedom to make cashless payments effortlessly.”
Sampath PayBand offers the following benefits to users:
Convenient :Seamlessly make payments with a simple tap or wave.
Innovative :Embrace cutting-edge payment technology for seamless transactions.
Swift :Complete transactions swiftly, outpacing traditional methods.
Productive :Leverage wearable technology to boost engagement and productivity.
Lifestyle oriented :Enjoy compatibility with modern payment methods that align seamlessly with customer preferences.
Launched in partnership with VISA, a global payment card services corporation facilitating electronic funds transfers throughout the world, the Sampath PayBand underscores the Bank’s dedication to providing cutting-edge banking solutions that meet the evolving needs of today’s consumers, offering convenience, security, and peace of mind.
Being the first of its kind in Sri Lanka, Sampath PayBand stands as a unique and compelling offering for consumers. Unaffected by rain or shine, work or party, the product is the ideal choice of the Gen Z and tech-savvy generation who look for convenience, versatility and fashion when selecting products for their use.
Sampath PayBand, will be available to all existing and new account holders at select Sampath bank branches from mid-June onwards where interested customers will receive personalized assistance and guidance on setup and usage upon acquiring a device.
Business
FRELLA launches world class wellness products locally with Baurs & Co.
FRELLA, Sri Lankan-born and internationally-respected natural beauty and wellness brand, is setting the stage to expand operations by entering the Sri Lankan retail market. As the country’s only dedicated wellness company operating at an international scale, this move marks a new chapter for a brand with a growing global presence that has already earned the trust of luxury hotels and international customers.
For over seven years, FRELLA has emerged as Sri Lanka’s leading wellness brand, serving clients and partners across more than 15 international markets. The brand’s entry into the Sri Lankan retail market marks a significant milestone, allowing local consumers to access globally respected wellness products developed from the island’s own healing traditions. This retail expansion is supported through a strategic partnership with Baurs, a trusted 170-year-old Swedish multinational company, ensuring sophisticated distribution and access aligned with international retail standards.
FRELLA is rooted in Sri Lanka’s ancient healing traditions and inspired by centuries-old Ayurvedic wisdom. All FRELLA products are specially designed as holistic wellness solutions for the body, skin, hair, and soul, and focuses on providing nourishment, balance, and healthy aging through refined, modern wellness systems.
Business
Writer Business Services enters Sri Lanka to partner with institutions to provide information management and payments solutions
Writer Corporation, one of India’s leading business groups, announced the launch of its subsidiary, Writer Business Services Pvt. Ltd., and the commencement of its operations in Sri Lanka. The expansion reflects Sri Lanka’s strategic importance in Writer’s regional growth plans and its role in supporting a highly regulated digital and financial services market which is currently undergoing digital transformation.
Sri Lanka’s continued focus on strengthening regulatory frameworks, digital platforms, and financial systems is shaping how institutions across banking, government, and enterprise sectors approach their business operations. There is a clear emphasis on secure, compliant, and resilient information and transaction environments that can scale with regulatory and business needs. Writer’s entry into Sri Lanka aligns with this direction, bringing global experience and a partnership-led approach to the market.
As part of its launch, Writer will establish a secure records and information storage facility in Seeduwa, Colombo. Designed to meet global standards for security, compliance, and disaster resilience, the facility will support banks, financial institutions, government bodies, and large enterprises in managing physical and digital information across its lifecycle.
Alongside information management, Writer brings established expertise in integrated payment services to support the modernization of transaction infrastructure across the banking and financial services sector. Its payments capabilities focus on strengthening availability, transaction continuity, and transparency across critical payment channels that underpin institutional reliability and customer confidence.
Writer’s digital payments offerings in Sri Lanka include end-to-end ATM and self-service terminal outsourcing, integrated channel ownership and managed services, field management applications, payment and reconciliation platforms, and remote monitoring with near real-time reporting. These solutions support financial institutions in improving uptime, strengthening governance, and enhancing operational efficiency across payment networks, in line with the continued evolution of electronic and automated payment systems.
Across information management and payments, Writer operates with an integrated portfolio spanning records and information management, business process outsourcing, cloud and digital services, data privacy, cybersecurity and enterprise payments infrastructure. These capabilities support institutions in addressing evolving regulatory requirements, digitization of legacy environments, and rising operational and cyber risks.
Writer’s local presence enables closer collaboration with clients and on-ground delivery, while supporting the development of Centres of Excellence across cybersecurity operations, SOC and NOC services, AI-led solutions, and payments operations and monitoring.
Writer’s Sri Lanka operations will be built, led, and run by Sri Lankan professionals, reflecting a long-term commitment to local talent growth and development.
Commenting on this development, Satyamohan Yanambaka, CEO, Writer Global Services Pvt. Ltd., assured Writer’s long-term commitment to the country’s digital ambitions. He said, “Writer’s entry into Sri Lanka reflects our belief that digital ambition in regulated environments must be supported by trust, sound governance, and strong execution. As institutions scale digital services, the reliability of information and payment systems, channel operations, and governance frameworks becomes increasingly important to public and institutional confidence. Our experience across information management, digital transformation, and enterprise payments enables us to support secure, large-scale financial ecosystems, with a clear commitment to building and leading these capabilities locally.”
Sri Lanka’s Digital Personal Data Protection framework raises expectations around how personal and sensitive information is secured and governed.
Business
Altair issues over 100+ title deeds post-ownership change
Altair Residences have, over the past six months, seen more than 100 individual title deeds being executed by apartment owners, providing owners with a clear, registered, legal title to their apartments in accordance with Sri Lankan property law. This has been a key initiative by the new owners and management of Altair to improve governance and will continue in an orderly manner in the coming months.
With the transition of ownership to Blackstone India, Altair’s Management Council has also been formally constituted, enabling owners to play an active and proactive role in the management of the Altair building. In addition, the management council has appointed Realty Management Services (RMS), a subsidiary of Overseas Realty Ceylon PLC, as the new facility manager of Altair.
Commenting on these milestones, Thilan Wijesinghe, Chairman of TWC Holdings, who, together with a team from TWC, represents Blackstone’s interests in Sri Lanka, said, “The issuance of individual title deeds is a critical step in any professionally developed residential asset. Over the past six months, this process at Altair has moved forward in a structured and transparent manner, alongside the formal establishment of owner-led governance. This, combined with the appointment of experienced facility managers are fundamental building block for long-term value-creation for apartment owners and proper asset stewardship.”
With ongoing improvements to the building being undertaken by Indocean Developers Pvt Ltd (IDPL), the owning company of Altair, the issuance of deeds to owners is expected to accelerate over the coming months.
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