Business
SDB bank relocates City Branch to Union Place, offering purpose-driven banking services for forward-thinking Sri Lankans
SDB bank, a unique bank with a clear vision to bolster the local economy by providing customized banking solutions to SMEs and all progressive Sri Lankans, recently relocated its flagship City Branch to a new facility at No.167, Union Place, Colombo 02. The new branch was officially declared open on the 19th of April 2023, amidst a grand opening ceremony graced by the Chairperson, Dinithi Ratnayake and SDB bank’s CEO, Priyantha Thalwatte, Members of the senior management, SDB bank customers, prominent business leaders and individuals.
The relocation of the SDB bank City Branch is a strategic move by the bank’s management to mark a stronger presence in a key geographical area with a stand-out facility equipped with improved facilities including ample parking facilities, ATM facilities etc.
The new flagship branch will be offering the bank’s wide range of products and services, including savings, fixed deposits, Business Banking, SME loans, pawning and leasing – all of which reflect the bank’s commitment to providing innovative and customer-centric banking solutions. Particularly, the bank’s savings product range offering the most competitive interest rates and other unique features has been a stand-out in the market. ‘Top Saver Plus’ for active savers and salaried employees, ‘SDB Business Saver’ for businesses, ‘SDB Lakdaru’ for children, SDB bank’s savings portfolio effectively covers all important customer segments, providing them with best in class benefits. Apart from the high-interest rates, daily interest calculation and flexibility for ‘Top Savers’, digital facilities for ‘Business Savers’ and free insurance cover for ‘Lakdaru Savers’ are some of such noteworthy benefits to be mentioned.
The new City Branch will also enable SDB bank to connect with high-net-worth clientele who share the same vision and values as the bank, rooting for the upliftment of entrepreneurship and thereby national economic development.
Commenting on the relocation of SDB bank’s City Branch, Dinesh Swarnage – Regional Manager- Western 1 at SDB bank said, “The relocation of the City Branch is a significant milestone as we reinvigorate the drive to service the financial needs of Colombo-based clientele with a strong focus on SME businesses. This branch offers convenience and customized services to progressive businesses and individuals who are seeking to actively contribute to the economic development of the country. City Branch’s unique design and facilities reflect our customer-centric approach, and we look forward to providing our customers with personalized banking that seamlessly combines conveniences with warm human experiences.”
With over 25 years of service in the Banking landscape in Sri Lanka, SDB bank is well-positioned to provide safe and trustworthy banking solutions to individuals and businesses. SDB bank is a licensed specialized bank regulated by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, with a listing on the Main Board of the Colombo Stock Exchange and a Fitch Rating of BB + (Stable). The bank is committed to sustainable development and economic upliftment by supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with a special focus on female entrepreneurship development. Alongside this, SDB bank is committed to incentivizing savings and fueling economic development in Sri Lanka, by providing more than simple financial services to the SME sector, through various workshops and skills development, entrepreneurship, mentorship and consultancy programs. Furthermore, SDB bank’s financing activities give preference to businesses and initiatives that take a sustainable approach, reflecting the bank’s commitment to environmental, social, and governance sustainability.
Company stresses ambition to surpass this milestone
Eyes markets across Africa and beyond
In a groundbreaking achievement for Sri Lanka’s IT and electronics manufacturing industry, EWIS Colombo Ltd, the country’s first and only local computer manufacturer, has successfully exported its first consignment of locally built laptops to Zimbabwe.
This landmark event not only positions Sri Lanka as an emerging force in global IT hardware manufacturing but also highlights EWIS’s commitment to innovation, quality, and excellence on the international stage.
This historic shipment, dispatched from EWIS’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Samajasewapura, Sooriyawewa, underscores the company’s dedication to delivering world-class technology solutions. With over 11 years of expertise in manufacturing and assembly, EWIS Colombo Ltd has played a pivotal role in driving Sri Lanka’s ICT sector forward. As a Board of Investment (BOI) Section 17-approved company, EWIS has established the country’s first and only local computer manufacturing plant, paving the way for the nation’s growth in high-tech exports.
Speaking on this momentous achievement, Sanjeewa Wickramanayake, Chairman of EWIS Colombo Ltd, said: “This milestone is not just for EWIS but for Sri Lanka as a whole. It proves that our country has the talent, capability, and ambition to manufacture and export high-quality IT products, competing confidently on the global stage. As we continue expanding beyond local markets, we take immense pride in showcasing Sri Lanka’s excellence in technology and innovation to the world. EWIS’s commitment to world-class quality is reinforced by its ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, CE, FCC, and RoHS certifications, ensuring compliance with international quality, safety, and environmental standards.”
Speaking further he said:
“For nearly four decades, EWIS has been a trailblazer in Sri Lanka’s ICT sector, delivering cutting-edge solutions for education, businesses, and government enterprises.
With over 11 years of local manufacturing and assembly expertise, EWIS has continuously refined its capabilities to produce high-quality, internationally competitive IT hardware. The successful export to Zimbabwe represents a bold step toward expanding EWIS’s global footprint, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s potential as a world-class technology and manufacturing hub.”
Dialog Television, Sri Lanka’s #1 Pay-TV service provider, has partnered with Emerging Media to enhance the convenience and effectiveness of advertising. This collaboration brings together Dialog Television’s world-class entertainment, featuring 18 advertisable channels across genres such as movies, edutainment, kids, music, sports, and local content, with Emerging Media’s expertise in digital advertising and targeted marketing. This synergy creates a seamless platform for businesses to maximize brand exposure across multiple channels.
With a reach of over 1.7 million households, Dialog Television provides advertisers with a powerful avenue to engage diverse audiences. Brands can place advertisements on leading international and local channels such as &flix, Star Movies, TLC, Animal Planet, AXN, Zee Café, Comedy Central, Star Plus, A+, Nickelodeon, Star Vijay, Zee Tamil, Star Sports, Ten Cricket, Sony SIX, ThePapare TV, Channel One, Citi Hitz and Channel C. Through this partnership, Emerging Media will facilitate advertising sales, allowing businesses to target specific viewer segments while simplifying the media buying process with a single point of contact.
Commenting on the partnership, Lim Li San, Group Chief Operating Officer at Dialog Axiata PLC, stated, “As Sri Lanka’s premier Pay-TV service provider, we serve more than 1.7 million households with over 6 million pairs of captive eyeballs across Sri Lanka. Today, we are excited to embark on this partnership with Emerging Media to avail our Dialog Television platform and brand strength to provide quality advertisement exposure and customer engagement to local businesses across Sri Lanka.”
The International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS), a pioneer in healthcare training for over 23 years, has partnered with the University of Surrey, UK, to revolutionise healthcare education in Sri Lanka and the broader South Asian region. This will create a world-class academic pathway for aspiring nursing and healthcare professionals, as well as young individuals seeking careers in the field. Under this agreement, IIHS and the University of Surrey will introduce a series of academic initiatives to enhance healthcare training and accessibility.
These include delivering internationally recognised nursing programmes that allow Sri Lankan and regional students to earn globally competitive qualifications in Sri Lanka.
Commenting on the move, Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe, CEO & Dean of Undergraduate Studies at IIHS, said: “This MOU marks a significant step in our mission to deliver world-class healthcare education to Sri Lanka and the region. IIHS remains dedicated to shaping the future of healthcare professionals and fostering global healthcare leadership.” Dr. Shelini Surendran, Associate Dean (International) at the University of Surrey, emphasised: “Sri Lanka is establishing itself as a regional education hub, and this partnership ensures students across Asia can access top-tier UK healthcare education at IIHS. By bridging academic excellence with accessibility, we provide students with a clear pathway to their professional goals.”
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