Business
HNB supports digital payments adoption drive in Negombo
Extending it’s support to the rapid development of a vibrant cashless payments ecosystem, Sri Lanka’s leading private bank, HNB PLC, participated in the latest edition of the ‘Rata Purama LANKAQR’ campaign of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), held recently in Negombo.
HNB interacted with merchants, including small businesses, educating them on the advantages and strengths of its LANKAQR-integrated HNB SOLO payment app during the day-long event. Given the strong interest displayed by them, HNB representatives also onboarded a significant number of these merchants to the HNB SOLO platform.
The event held at the Kadolkale Grounds in Negombo was attended by CBSL Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal as the Chief Guest, together with CBSL Assistant Governor Dharmasiri Kumaratunga and senior officials from leading commercial banks.
The first to introduce multiple technological developments to the Sri Lankan banking sector, HNB has played a prominent role in increasing public awareness of the benefits of digital payments in the country. The bank has continued to amplify and ramp up these efforts, both through its own programmes and by extending its steadfast support to CBSL’s ‘Rata Purama LANKAQR’ initiative.
“A vibrant cashless payment ecosystem has the potential to drastically enhance economic activity at the grassroots of the Sri Lankan economy. These systems help accelerate the speed of business, and particularly for small businesses, they can help establish new markets and carry out transactions securely and conveniently,” HNB Head of Digital Business, Chammika Weerasinghe said.
Launched in late 2020, the ‘Rata Purama LANKAQR’ campaign seeks to increase the usage of Sri Lanka’s national common Quick Response (QR) code standard developed by the CBSL. This initiative, which eliminates the need for merchants to have multiple QR codes for different platforms, facilitates fast, secure and affordable digital payments, benefiting customers and merchants. Financial institutions and telecommunication companies are supporting the CBSL in its efforts to transition towards a cashless society.
HNB aims to make mobile phones and digital payments the standard for day-to-day transactions throughout the country and has played a prominent role in driving the country’s cashless QR-code based payments revolution.
HNB SOLO merchant (Good Food & Body Care- Negombo), Mr & Mrs Kapila Paliyakkara at the event.
HNB SOLO, launched in 2019, facilitates enhanced efficiency in payments and transactions, while eliminating the need for physical contact. QR-code based-payments through HNB SOLO are more cost-effective, when compared to alternative payment solutions available in the market. The intuitive, user-friendly and sophisticated app has significantly increased the convenience of making a wide range of QR-based payments. Users can make payments via LANKA QR by scanning the code using SOLO. Upon completion, merchants will receive an instant SMS notification, confirming the receipt of payment.
HNB has been continuously enhancing the app’s features and functionality, by further improving its user interface.
Going even further in its digital payments journey, the bank has also introduced Dynamic QR technology in partnership with both Keells Supermarkets and Singer, in which a unique code is generated for each transaction. This allows customers using an app linked with the LANKAQR to make contactless purchases at stores by simply scanning the Dynamic QR, which appears on the display screen of the Point of Sale (PoS) machine. By eliminating the need to manually enter the payment value, this mechanism increases customer convenience and avoids errors.
At its 2026 Social Sustainability Programme Kick-Off, the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka convened business leaders to advance the translation of global ambition into practical corporate action on inclusion, integrity and human rights.
On 24 February 2026, the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka (Network Sri Lanka) convened business leaders at Barefoot Garden Café for its 2026 Social Sustainability Programme Kick-Off, delivered in collaboration with Good Life X.
The gathering did more than introduce a calendar of events. It positioned Sri Lanka’s corporate community within the broader direction of the UN Global Compact’s 2026–2030 global strategy — a strategy anchored in three imperatives: equipping companies to act, catalyzing collective action, and advancing the business case for responsible leadership.
At its core, the 2026 Social Sustainability agenda is designed to move companies from commitment to capability.
Within the Diversity & Inclusion Working Group, this means building practical pathways toward equal pay for equal work and strengthening male allyship as a governance issue rather than a cultural afterthought. It means examining sexual and reproductive health, disability inclusion, and mental health not as employee benefits, but as structural determinants of productivity and retention. It means sharpening strategic communications so inclusion is embedded in brand integrity. It also means applying science-based behavioural change approaches to shift organizational culture in measurable ways.
Across the Business & Human Rights Working Group, equipping companies takes the form of deepened engagement on decent work and living wage implementation, strengthening human rights due diligence processes, and addressing emerging risk areas such as AI and digital rights. It extends to reinforcing business integrity and anti-corruption frameworks, understanding the social dimensions of a just transition, and recognizing the link between child rights, nutrition, and workforce productivity.
Union Bank of Colombo PLC announced its proposed Debenture Issue 2026, a strategic move aimed at raising up to LKR 3 billion. This issue is designed to bolster the Bank’s Tier II capital base and provide a robust financial foundation for its upcoming growth initiatives.
The offering consists of Basel III compliant, listed, rated, unsecured, subordinated, redeemable high-yield debentures with Non-Viability Conversion. The instrument has been assigned a rating of BB (lka) by Fitch Ratings (Lanka) Ltd, reflecting the bank’s creditworthiness and the structured nature of the subordinated debt.
Investors can choose from three distinct interest structures starting from a high-yield 13% fixed rate per annum (Type A). This option is paid annually, while Type B offers a 12.5% fixed rate paid semi-annually (12.89% AER). For those seeking market-linked returns, Type C provides a floating rate of the 182-days Treasury Bill rate plus a 400-basis point margin, also paid semi-annually.
The debentures are priced at LKR 100 per unit with a 5-year tenure (2026–2031). The initial issue size is set at 20,000,000 debentures with an option to raise 10,000,000 at the discretion of the Bank and is scheduled to open on 10 March 2026.
Shanka Abeywardene, Chief Financial Officer of Union Bank stated “This debenture issue marks a significant step in the Bank’s journey towards enhanced financial stability. By strengthening its capital adequacy, Union Bank is well-positioned to navigate evolving market conditions while fuelling its long-term strategic objectives for sustainable growth”
WindForce PLC announced the appointment of Sanjay Kulatunga as an Independent, Non-Executive Director to its Board with effect from 03rd March 2026, following the resignation of Dilshan Hettiaratchi. The appointment further strengthens the Company’s governance framework, strategic oversight, and long-term decision-making capabilities.
Kulatunga brings an established track record as a founder, entrepreneur, and senior executive across financial services and export-oriented industries. He is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of LYNEAR Wealth Management, a boutique investment firm established in 2013, which has since grown to become one of Sri Lanka’s largest private wealth management institutions, serving high-net-worth individuals as well as local and international institutional clients.
Prior to founding LYNEAR, Kulatunga played a pivotal role in the establishment of Amba Research, an investment research offshoring firm rooted in Sri Lanka and now operating as part of Acuity Analytics.
Over the years, he has contributed extensively to several key national institutions. His previous appointments include serving on the Financial Sector Stability Consultative Committee of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, as well as the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka.
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