News
For the ultimate in sophistication, choose Visa Infinite and its exclusive benefits
Personalized service offerings are increasingly becoming popular among high-net-worth individuals and in an era marked by seamless conveniences and growing personalised consumer expectations, discerning consumers are looking for lifestyle opportunities that offer exclusive experiential benefits.
“Visa Infinite is designed to cater to a sophisticated niche consumer through four primary pillars of exclusivity – lifestyle, entertainment, retail and travel. In each of these, Visa Infinite cardholders will find unique privileges in a variety of categories spanning from dining, entertainment, shopping, VIP travel benefits, self-enrichment and exclusive access to lived experiences,” says Avanthi Colombage Country Manager for Visa in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
While the spending capacity of this group significantly influences economic growth, there is a growing desire in this group of consumers to invest in premium experiences – whether it’s fine dining, luxury shopping or unique lived experiences. “Recognizing that consumers are clear about the specific services they desire, we strive to meet their needs with well-designed, curated experiences that enhance their lifestyle of luxury and expectations” Avanthi points out.
Visa Infinite is more than a credit or debit card – it embodies the unique advantages for the discerning who want exceptional benefits and a rewarding lifestyle. Privileges such as meet and greet at airports, access to exclusive restaurants in the world and luxury hotel booking privileges are provided under Visa Concierge services, adds Avanthi. “These privileges meet the needs of the discerning niche consumers who travel regularly and seek prioritization, seamless access and convenience”
Visa also brings to this offering, an exclusive WhatsApp Concierge Service – an on-demand service that is exclusively offered to Visa Infinite cardholders – for whom time is truly precious. Visa Concierge is a 24/7 digital personal assistant and lifestyle guide, giving Visa Infinite cardholders access to extraordinary experiences each and every day, through a curated range of services, amenities and exclusive privileges.
Among the Visa Concierge services offered are seamless reservations for top dining properties – Asia’s 50 Best and World’s 50 Best dining experiences – with exclusive offers and privileges. One also gets the opportunity to reserve Michelin starred restaurants of one’s choice worldwide, the opportunity to indulge in the Visa Wine program and a chance to greet the Chef or get a signed menu personalized by the Chef. There is also exclusive access to the Visa Luxury Hotel collection, airport limo transfer program and Priority Pass lounge access, car rental and luxury hotel privileges.
When it comes to luxury hotel reservations, Visa Concierge strives to provide the best available rate guarantee to Visa Infinite consumers along with complimentary benefits like automatic room upgrade upon arrival (when available), in-house breakfast for two and food & beverages credit starting at US $25, all provided as value added services. Visa Infinite consumers also get a special VIP guest status in addition late-checkout-on-request (where available).
As part of the Visa Infinite offering, the WhatsApp Concierge service also provides many value-added services for Golf Privileges – from priority tee times, luxury round trip private chauffeured transport and complimentary perks like beverages after the game, warm-up driving range balls, in-cart refreshments and LuxBlack Game-Day kit.
A fourth area where Visa is offering curated benefits is education special offers in educational services at esteemed educational institutions such as Columbia, Stanford and MIT are also available under Visa WhatsApp Concierge. One will have the opportunity to dive into the global centre of tech and innovation at Silicon Valley, discovering how large companies and technology have transformed the way we live.
Visa ensures Visa Infinite cardholders have Global Access to Extraordinary experiences across 500 cities. Unique access to live cultural and sporting events, including virtual and outdoor experiences to make the rest of the world feel that little bit closer.
Additional benefits on Visa Infinite include valuable discounts on travel, ecommerce purchase protection and other attractive offers tailor made for the discerning consumers.
“The spending capacity of affluent consumers enrich the economy and result in the enhanced use of digital forms of payment. These consumers believe in availing the best of experiences personalized for them and their loved ones – whether it is dining at a top restaurant, going to a world class concert or getting a curated celebration arranged,” Avanthi reiterates. “We would like to cater to the sophisticated needs of Visa Infinite cardholders and are delighted to assure a secure, streamlined, and innovative payment options in Sri Lanka through value added services such as this.”
As a global leader in payments, Visa believes in consistent innovation and value addition that enhances the services offered to our valued cardholders. Exceeding consumer expectations and enhancing unique experiences define the future of payments across the world for Visa.
Visa Whatsapp Concierge is available on +94 (11) 2029164.
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has alleged that the current government is attempting to suppress freedom of expression and media freedom to lead the country towards authoritarian rule.
In a video message on Thursday (25), Premadasa said that in a democratic country, the four main pillars safeguarding democracy are the legislature, the executive, the judiciary, and the independent media, but, at present, the government is using the police to violate both the democratic rights of the people and the rights of police officers themselves.
He said that the government is working to establish a police state that deprives citizens of their right to access truthful information.
“For democracy to be protected, media freedom must be safeguarded, and space must be given to independent media. Instead, the government is interfering with the independent media process, using the police to suppress and intimidate independent media,” he said.
He noted that even when independent media present their views based on reason, facts, and evidence, the government attempts to suppress them. Such actions, he said, amount to turning a democratic country into a police state. “Do not suppress the voice of the silent majority, the independent media,” he urged.
Premadasa emphasised that independent media represent the voice of the silent majority in the country and must not be suppressed.
“Media repression is a step towards authoritarian rule, and the people did not give their mandate to create an authoritarian regime or a police state. If the government attempts to abolish democratic rights, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya will stand as the opposition against it,” he said.
The Opposition Leader further alleged that the government was interfering with police independence, stating, “Political interference has undermined the independence of the police, making it impossible for them to serve impartially. Suppressing freedom of expression is an attempt to lead the country towards authoritarian rule.”
Premadasa pointed out that the media has the right to reveal the truth, and interfering with that right is a violation of the rights of 22 million citizens.
Vegetable prices at the Peliyagoda Manning Wholesale Market surged to unusually high levels yesterday (26), raising concerns among consumers as the festive season drives up demand. The situation is expected to persist over the next few days, a spokesman for the Manning Market told The Island.
He said a sharp increase in the number of buyers visiting the wholesale market, ahead of upcoming festivities, had resulted in a sudden spike in demand, prompting wholesale traders to raise prices significantly. The price hikes have affected a wide range of commonly consumed vegetables, placing additional pressure on household budgets.
According to market sources, the wholesale price of beans climbed to Rs. 1,100 per kilogram, while capsicum soared to Rs. 2,000 per kilogram. Green chillies were selling at around Rs. 1,600 per kilogram. Prices of other vegetables, including beetroot, brinjal (eggplant), tomatoes, bitter gourd, snake gourd and knolkhol, also recorded unusually high increases.
The spokesman alleged that despite the steep rise in prices, vegetable farmers have not benefited from the increases. Instead, he claimed that a group of traders, who effectively control operations at the wholesale market, are arbitrarily inflating prices to maximise profits.
He warned that if the relevant authorities fail to intervene promptly to curb these practices, vegetable prices could escalate further during the peak festive period. Such a trend, he said, would disproportionately benefit a small group of middlemen while leaving consumers to bear the brunt of higher food costs.
By Kamal Bogoda ✍️
The Hakgala National Botanical Garden, which was closed in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, has been reopened to tourists from yesterday, the Ministry of Environment indicated.
The Ministry said the reopening was carried out in accordance with recommendations and guidelines issued by the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) and the DisasterManagement Centre (DMC) after safety assessments were completed.
However, due to the identification of hazardous ground conditions, several areas, within the garden, have been temporarily restricted. These include the pond area, near the main entrance, and access roads leading towards the forest park where potential risks were observed. Warning signs have been installed to prevent visitors from entering these zones.
To ensure the safety and convenience of both local and foreign visitors, the garden’s management has introduced a special assistance programme, with staff deployed to guide and support tourists.
The Hakgala Botanical Garden was closed as a precautionary measure during the disaster situation triggered by Cyclone Ditwah. The Ministry noted that the garden has now been safely reopened, within a short period, following remedial measures and inspections, allowing visitors to resume access while maintaining necessary safety precautions.
By Sujeewa Thathsara ✍️
A few showers may occur in the Northern, Eastern and Uva provinces and in Polonnaruwa, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya districts
Sajith warns country is being dragged into authoritarian rule
Wholesale mafia blamed for unusually high vegetable prices
Cyclone-damaged Hakgala Botanical Garden reopened with safety measures
Holiday travellers generate record revenue for expressways
Another casualty from underworld warfare succumbs to his injuries
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
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