~ Extends branch network to 27 and further strengthens presence in the Central Province

Softlogic Finance PLC opened its 27^th branch in Matale, thereby increasing its presence in the Central Province to five locations and continuing the company’s expansion drive under which eight branches were opened during the last calendar year.

The new fully-fledged Matale branch, conveniently located at No. 253, Main Street, Matale, is the first location opened by Softlogic Finance in 2016. It offers Business Loans, Personal Loans, Group Personal Loans, Gold Loans, Leasing and Hire Purchase, Fixed Deposits and Savings and is open for business during weekdays from 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 pm.

The new Matale branch was ceremonially opened by a host of dignitaries including Member of Parliament Ranjith Aluvihare, Softlogic Finance Director/CEO – Nalin Wijekoon, Softlogic Finance COO – Indresh Fernando together with other officials and customers of the company.

“Matale has been a key area for Softlogic Finance – particularly being the location of our largest gold loan centre,” CEO, Nalin Wijekoon said. “Therefore, Matale was a clear choice for the opening of our first branch for the new year. We will parallely focus on improving IT infrastructure, to further enhance customer convenience and excellent service standards associated with the Softlogic Finance brand.”

“Softlogic Finance remains strongly committed to extending our branch network at key strategic locations island-wide,” Softlogic Finance Deputy Chairman, Harris Premaratne added. “While providing greater access to our existing customers, we expect to reach previously untapped customer segments as well.”

Parallel to the opening of the Matale Branch, Softlogic Finance launched its ‘Clean Zone’ community initiative at the city’s Children’s Park to improve public awareness on the importance of garbage segregation, proper garbage disposal and recycling. As part of the initiative, the eight branches which forms the company’s clean zone network displays separate bins dedicated for the disposal of plastics, bottles and non-recyclable material in front of their premises. Softlogic Finance also facilitates greater cleanliness in a 500m roadside extent to each side of the respective branch by entering into an agreement with the respective Municipal Councils for each area to be cleaned at shorter intervals than before.

Softlogic Finance PLC is part of the Softlogic Group that has interests in Healthcare, Retail, Financial Services, ICT, Leisure, Automobiles and Restaurants. The Company is a Registered Finance Company under Finance Business Act No 42 of 2011, as well as being a Specialized Leasing Company, licensed by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka under the Finance Leasing Act No. 56 of 2000.

Photo captions: (Above) The opening of Softlogic Finance’s new Matale branch by (from left) AGM – Nalaka de Silva, COO – Indresh Fernando, M.P. Ranjith Aluvihare and Director/CEO – Nalin Wijekoon

[caption id="attachment_16891" align="alignnone" width="675"] 1. M.P. Ranjith Aluvihare (centre) cutting the ribbon to ceremonially open the new Softlogic Finance branch in Matale in the presence of Director/CEO – Nalin Wijekoon (right) and Matale Branch Manager – Malinda Waidyatilleke (left)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_16892" align="alignnone" width="675"] 2. M.P. Ranjith Aluvihare (extreme left) presenting a gift to the first customer of Softlogic Finance’s new Matale branch – M.K.E.L.S. Munaweera (extreme right), in the presence of Director/CEO – Nalin Wijekoon and DGM – Fairoze Burah[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_16893" align="alignnone" width="675"] The launch of Softlogic Finance’s Clean Zone community initiative in Matale at the town’s Children’s Park, coinciding with the opening of the company’s new branch in the area[/caption]