Business
Sampath Bank donates Rs. 50 million towards 1990 Suwa Seriya’s ‘Adopt an Ambulance’ initiative
Sampath Bank has handed over a cheque of Rs. 50 million to support the 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation’s ‘Adopt an Ambulance’ project. With this timely donation under its ‘Hope for a Life’ CSR programme, Sampath Bank’s contribution will fund the maintenance of 10 Suwa Seriya ambulances in all nine provinces.
One of Sampath Bank’s key CSR focus areas is extending health assistance to the community and this donation by the Bank will enable Suwa Seriya to maintain and improve the services of its 1990 ambulance network for providing lifesaving emergency medical assistance in Sri Lanka. At the Adopt an Ambulance event on 26th April, Chairman, and senior officials of the 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation accepted the donation of Rs. 50 million from Sampath Bank’s senior representatives which comprised the Corporate Management of the Bank as well.
The 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation introduced the ‘Adopt an Ambulance’ initiative to secure private sector funding to sustain the services it offers, as the government’s assistance for Suwa Seriya was impeded due to financial constraints brought on by the economic crisis in the country.
The 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation provides pre-hospital care ambulance services and emergency response services free of charge to any person. These facilities include providing immediate and effective pre-hospital care in a safe and clinical working environment until a person reaches the nearest healthcare provider. The Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service was established in 2016 with the assistance of the Indian government.
The ‘Hope for a Life’ CSR flagship programme has inspired Sampath Bank to make a significant contribution to health care in the country over the years. In the past, the Bank has donated a Neuro Navigator to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka at an investment of Rs. 49.7 Mn which enabled neurosurgeons to conduct more operations per day to reduce the waiting list.
The Bank also handed over a ventilator worth Rs 2.2 Mn to the Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of National Hospital of Sri Lanka which enhanced the capacity of the hospital’s Neurosurgery ICU, previously limited to five ICU ventilators for all 10 beds.
Further, in 2020, Sampath Bank stepped into assist the nation’s fight against COVID-19 and jointly with CBL Group and WSO2 donated a fully equipped PCR laboratory to the Army Hospital in Colombo amounting to Rs. 32 Mn. The state-of-the-art lab has a testing capacity of 600 patients per day, thereby enhancing the country’s virus testing capacity. The Bank assisted nine state hospitals across various provinces in 2022 with donations of lifesaving medicine and medical equipment to alleviate the shortage of such items due to the lack of imports.
Closely engaged with local communities, Sampath Bank has also conducted various community empowering initiatives under its CSR flagship projects such as Wewata Jeewayak (Tank restoration to benefit farmers), Sayurata Husmak (Oceanic Ecosystem Restoration Programme) and Gasai Mamai Pubudu Pothai (Tree-planting programme for school children). Sampath Bank is a truly local bank that has deeply rooted itself in the lives of Sri Lankan people reflecting its strong corporate belief of “Values that bind us beyond a Transaction”.
Established in 1987, the Bank has become a state-of-the-art financial institution that continues to be a market leader for its constant innovation and customer-focused approach to business.
In a landmark move towards digital transformation within Sri Lanka’s legal system, the Supreme Court officially launched online payment acceptance via GovPay, at a ceremony held on 15th May 2025 at the Supreme Court Complex in Hulftsdorp, Colombo 12, under the patronage of Chief Justice Murdu Fernando, PC.
This digital initiative enables both legal professionals and general public to make real-time, secure online payments via any GovPay-enabled internet banking, mobile banking platforms and FinTech applications for a wide range of services offered by the Supreme Court including Brief Fees, Certified Copying Fees, Commercial High Court Appeal Filing Fees, Compensation, Cost, Enrollment Fees (Attorney-at-Law), Good Standing Certificate Fees, New Plaint Filing Fees, and Online Payments for Affidavits.
At the initial phase GovPay payments to Supreme Court has been enabled via several online banking platforms and FinTech apps including BOC Smart Pay Mobile App, Peoples Pay Mobile App, NSB Online Banking, Pan Asia Online Banking, Sampath Vishwa Online Banking, HNB PayFast, Seylan Bank Online Banking, DFCC Online Banking, NationsDirect Online Banking / NationsDirect Mobile App, ComBank Digital Online Banking and ComBank Digital Mobile App, NDB Neos Online Banking, Helakuru Mobile App, iPay Mobile App, FriMi Mobile App, Genie Mobile App. The integration with GovPay ensures secure, seamless, and transparent transactions, accessible from anywhere anytime, bringing a new level of convenience and efficiency to the legal community and the general public using courts. Moreover, the entire GovPay digital process, including the receipt which generated via the system are legally valid under the Electronic Transactions Act No. 19 of 2006 (as amended).
Speaking at the launch, Chief Justice Murdu Fernando PC emphasized the significance of this initiative in modernizing the judicial system, stating that “This marks an important milestone in our journey towards a more accessible and technology-enabled judiciary. By embracing digital platforms such as GovPay, we are not only improving efficiency and transparency, but also enhancing public trust and ease of access to all stakeholders of the judicial system” , the Chief Justice stated.
Integration with GovPay aims to reduce the reliance on physical cash transactions, long queues, and administrative difficulties that have historically burdened court users as well as legal professionals. It also aligns with the national agenda of leveraging digital infrastructure to improve public service delivery.
The Supreme Court’s adoption of technology-based payments is expected to serve as a model for similar implementations across other courts of law throughout Sri Lanka. Several high-ranking legal professionals, officials from LankaPay, ICTA and representatives of the legal and banking sectors were present to witness this historic occasion.
This transformation is the result of collaboration between the Supreme Court Registrar, the Registry Staff, the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Digital Economy and key financial and technological institutions committed to enhancing digital inclusion within public institutions with the support of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
As the legal landscape evolves, digital platforms, such as GovPay, will play a critical role in ensuring the justice system remains adaptive, inclusive, and future-ready. The Supreme Court’s forward-thinking initiative is expected to pave the way for comprehensive judicial digitalization nationwide.
Fortude has announced a strategic partnership with Ettos, a leading supply chain traceability platform aimed at enabling fashion businesses to maintain more transparent processes and allowing customers to understand how their products are made. This collaboration will integrate traceability, compliance, and Digital Product Passports (DPPs) into a unified solution, helping fashion brands streamline their supply chains and enhance transparency.
Ettos’ platform simplifies the tracking of raw materials and the verification of sustainability claims. It offers a B2B web platform for managing traceability and compliance, along with a B2C web app that delivers DPPs to consumers via QR codes. Through this partnership, Fortude and Ettos will jointly expand their capabilities in the fashion sector, supporting clients from raw material sourcing to final product delivery.
Adriana Batty, Co-founder of Ettos, said, “We are happy to partner with Fortude, whose expertise in digital solutions and deep roots in the fashion industry align with our vision of creating a transparent global supply chain. Together, we will empower brands and consumers with verifiable sustainability insights.”
With over a decade of experience delivering digital solutions to global fashion brands, Fortude shares Ettos’ commitment to transforming supply chain transparency. Daniel Rodrigo, Senior Vice President Global Technical Consulting at Fortude added, “Our partnership with Ettos reinforces our mission to provide digital solutions that matter. For over a decade, we have been an Infor partner, delivering ERP solutions to numerous global fashion brands. As we broaden our vision to drive digital transformation, this partnership is a significant step toward driving meaningful change for fashion brands seeking enhanced transparency and compliance.”
This partnership marks a significant step forward in meeting the fashion industry’s growing demand for sustainability and transparency. Fortude and Ettos are dedicated to helping brands navigate complex supply chains with confidence, fostering a more sustainable future for fashion.
Turyaa Chennai, a premier five-star deluxe classified hotel under the Aitken Spence Hotels portfolio, celebrates a decade of redefining hospitality in one of South India’s most dynamic urban corridors.
Conceived by the visionary entrepreneur and Late Chairman of Aitken Spence PLC, Deshamanya D.H.S. Jayawardena, Turyaa Chennai was built on the belief that Aitken Spence warmth and world-class hospitality could find a meaningful home in India. Ten years on, his legacy continues—alive in every guest experience, every team member’s dedication, and every milestone the hotel celebrates.
Since its opening in 2015, Turyaa Chennai has become a trusted name in Chennai—offering warm service and contemporary comfort. Strategically located along Chennai’s IT expressway, the hotel has grown into a hospitality landmark for business travellers, international travellers, and local tastemakers. Its vibrant dining concepts, spacious rooms and suites, rooftop leisure areas, and exceptional service standards have made it a preferred address in the city.
To mark its 10th anniversary on 15th of May 2025, Turyaa Chennai is hosting a month-long series of celebrations in honour of its legacy and the people who helped shape it. These include religious blessings, a celebratory dinner for loyal guests and partners, an awards ceremony for team members, and culinary showcases that nod to the hotel’s South Indian and Sri Lankan heritage.
Turyaa Chennai (Aitken Spence Hotels) donates wheelchairs to Tamil Nadu Railways in collaboration with Geo India Foundation.
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