Hatton National Bank partnered with Micro, Medium, and Small (MSME) entrepreneurs across an extensive merchant partner network to launch the HNB SOLO Avurudu Pola promoting QR-based payments at eight key locations across the country. Supporting the ‘Rata Purama LANKAQR’ campaign by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) to create a cashless pay- ment eco-system, HNB offered discounts at trade fairs for the users of its digital payment wal- let SOLO,
Over 450+ merchants showcased their products from vegetables and fruits to ayurvedic products, flowers, handicrafts, electronic appliances, traditional sweetmeats, and brass products at Nugegoda, Kottawa, Negombo, Hettipola, Matara, Nuwara Eliya, Bandarawela, and Batticaloa during April with strict adherence to health guidelines.
“The SOLO Avurudu Pola goes beyond the confines of a traditional trade fair or market as it opens up a world of possibilities for HNB entrepreneurs, from strengthening their supply chains while simultaneously moving towards a cashless payment system. As a bank with a long history of working with MSMEs, we are delighted to promote LANKAQR and empower these entrepreneurs to compete in an increasingly digital economy,” stated Sanjay Wijemanne, Deputy General Manager of Retail and SME Banking.
Having linked LANKAQR to SOLO, HNB was among the first financial institutions driving a cashless QR-code-based payment revolution that aims to make mobile phones and digital payments the standard for day- to-day transactions island-wide. Users can make payments via LANKAQR by scanning the code using SOLO. Upon completion, merchants will receive an instant SMS notification confirming the receipt of payment.
