Business
BOC launches special promo for BOC debit cardholders
Bank of Ceylon, who owns the largest debit card base in Sri Lanka, kicked off a special promotion campaign, offering 100 gift vouchers each month for purchase at Supermarkets and grocery stores by using debit cards.
BOC debit cardholders who make a minimum of Rs. 5,000/- worth of purchases at supermarkets or grocery stores are eligible to win Rs. 25,000/- worth of Supermarket gift vouchers each month. Accordingly, 100 winners will be drawn from this pool of eligible customers every month starting from November 2023 until January 2024.
In terms of safety, all transactions conducted with BOC debit cards are secured with the latest 3D Secure process. A key objective of this special promotion campaign is to make the Card holders aware about the convenience of paying by debit cards, instead of paying by cash and carrying cash.
Although a large number of BOC customers hold debit cards, many continue to perceive that use of debit cards are limited to withdrawing cash from ATM machines. With a view of encouraging card usage, the Bank of Ceylon will continue this special promotion campaign till end of January 2024 for purchases at Supermarkets and grocery stores by BOC debt cards.
BOC has been a pioneer the country’s financial industry in bringing benefits of latest technological advancements to all of its customers based on their evolving requirements. With the trust that was built over 83 years, Bank of Ceylon offers a wide range of digital products including the BOC Card portfolio that comes with the international acceptance. In particular BOC pioneered in bringing range of digital solutions to the customer which includes BOC Smart online banking, B-APP mobile banking, SmartPay Payment app, Smart Pass Book, Smart Zone, BOC Digi, Branch on Wheels, SmartGen Digital account, as well as facilities to open deposit accounts online and to apply for housing/personal loans online.
In a significant move for Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, NKAR, a stalwart in the industry for over 45 years, has announced a partnership with Holiday Max, Australia’s largest tour operator. Based in Perth, Holiday Max has ventured into Sri Lanka for the first time, marking a promising expansion for both entities.
This collaboration aligns with NKAR’s strategic vision to enhance the country’s appeal to international travelers. Nilmin Nanayakkara, Chairman and Managing Director of NKAR says, “Our policy has always been to promote Sri Lanka to new markets by attracting new operators, rather than competing through price undercutting or making unrealistic promises.” This statement encapsulates NKAR’s commitment to fostering sustainable tourism growth by focusing on quality over cost.
By prioritsing service excellence and maintaining high health and safety standards, NKAR aims to elevate the overall travel experience for visitors. This approach not only positions Sri Lanka as a premium destination but also attracts reputable operators like Holiday Max, who are drawn to the island’s unique experiences and NKAR’s dedication to quality service.
The partnership represents a remarkable opportunity to showcase Sri Lanka’s diverse offerings to Australian travelers, potentially opening new avenues for tourism growth. As NKAR continues to innovate and adapt, this collaboration is set to bolster Sri Lanka’s standing as a sought-after travel destination, steering the industry away from aggressive price competition towards sustainable growth through authentic experiences.
By focusing on attracting new operators and markets, NKAR is paving the way for a revitalised tourism landscape in Sri Lanka, one that values quality, safety, and the unique charm of the island. NKAR is recognised as one of the top five destination management companies in Sri Lanka. The company recently won 3 major awards at Sri Lanka Tourism Awards.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
LOLC Finance secured five Gold Awards and one Merit Award at the LankaPay Technovation Awards 2025, including the prestigious Overall Excellence in Digital Payments Gold Award for the sixth consecutive year.
The company dominated both bank and NBFI categories, winning Best Digital Strategy Gold Award, proving its superiority over traditional banks in digital finance.
Awards won were as follows.
Gold Awards:
Best Digital Payment Strategy (Banks & NBFI)
Best Mobile Application for Retail Payments via JustPay (Banks & NBFI)
Excellence in Customer Convenience (NBFI)
Financial Inclusivity (NBFI)
Overall Excellence in Digital Payments (NBFI)
Merit Award: Most Popular Digital Payment Product (iPay)
CEO Krishan Thilakaratne emphasized digitalization as core to LOLC Finance’s operations, enabling seamless, 24/7 financial access through platforms like LOLC Real Time and iPay.
Chairman Conrad Dias highlighted the audited, performance-based recognition and iPay’s mission to solve real-world financial challenges with cutting-edge tech.
iPay & JustPay innovations were Recognized for leading digital payment adoption with 1M+ downloads, 1.8M monthly transactions, and 65% JustPay market share, featuring biometric security and AI fraud detection.
Financial Inclusivity was recognized for Bridging gaps via multi-lingual services, cashless processes, and rural outreach programs.
Customer Convenience was recognized for real-time solutions (SLIPS, CEFTS) eliminating branch visits for payments and transfers.
Tree House International, located in Dehiwala, has been recognised as the Most Evidence-Based Special Needs School of the Year at BWIO Awards. The only international school in Sri Lanka dedicated exclusively to children with special needs, 75% of its students relocate from abroad for its high-quality, result-driven education.
Last semester, 100% of students transitioned to mainstream or vocational training.
The school is led by Dr. Anton James, a Chartered Behavioural Psychologist with over 20 years of global experience.
His evidence-based approach earned the highest honour from the British Psychological Society, and he was elected a Chartered Scientist. Co-directed by Chrystal Honsaker, an expert with 15 years of international special needs experience, the school also offers an accredited British curriculum alternative to GCSEs.
We aspire to build a nation where all citizens coexist in peace and resilience for the future generation -PM
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