Western Union, a leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement and Sampath Bank, one of Sri Lanka’s leading private commercial banks, have joined forces to provide customers, nation-wide access to international money transfers in minutes[1] from more than 200 countries and territories.

Sampath Bank’s 229 branches across the island now offer Western Union^® Money Transfer, providing greater access and convenience during traditional banking hours and 365-day access from Sampath Bank’s super branches. This collaboration underpins efforts by Western Union and Sampath Bank to facilitate convenient access for families of Sri Lankans living and working abroad.

“Western Union’s global presence allows us to serve Sri Lankans in almost every country in the world and move their money with speed, convenience and reliability to their families back home. We are very pleased to collaborate with Sampath Bank, as their strong network in Sri Lanka supports our shared commitment to provide easy access for customers to receive funds from abroad, whether they live in urban, rural or remote areas,” said Sohini Rajola, Regional Vice President, South Asia and Indochina, Western Union.

“As a national Bank, we, at Sampath Bank, are cognizant of the economic significance of remittances sent in by the innumerable Sri Lankans working around the world. We have always sought to extend our fullest support through our extensive suite of financial solutions. This collaboration with Western Union is part of our commitment to serving them. Working together, we are delighted to offer them a convenient and reliable means of sending money back home and thereby contribute to the wellbeing of their families and the nation as a whole,” said Nanda Fernando, Managing Director, Sampath Bank PLC.

Sri Lanka was one of the top five remittance receiving countries in South Asia in 2017, according to the World Bank’s report on Migration and Remittances[2].

“Remittances sent by hardworking Sri Lankans from around the world are often the primary source of income for their families living here. At Sampath Bank, we truly appreciate the value of these contributions in improving the economic situation at home and across the nation. We are delighted to be collaborating with global leader Western Union as this will further help those living and working abroad to support their families and our country, conveniently,” said Kusal De Silva, Head of Card Centre, Remittances and Banking Note Operations, Sampath Bank PLC.

“The nation-wide Sampath Bank branch network is about making it easier to access banking services closer to where you live. Adding Western Union Money Transfer services from around the world, takes our service commitment to a new level,” he said.

Western Union has been providing money transfer services in Sri Lanka since 1995. Customers can receive money at more than 4,800 Agent locations[3] across the country.

(L-R): Niranjan Sivathasan, Executive - e-Remittances, Sampath Bank PLC; Praveen Nanayakkara, Channel Manager, Western Union Sri Lanka; Shihab Hasan, Senior Regional Operations Specialist, Western Union for Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan & Maldives; Nanda Fernando, Managing Director, Sampath Bank PLC; Kusal De Silva, Head of Card Centre, Remittances and Bank Notes Operations, Sampath Bank PLC and Darshin Pathinayake, Senior Manager - Card Marketing, Remittances, KPO & Bank Notes Operations, Sampath Bank PLC

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[1] Funds may be delayed or services unavailable based on certain transaction conditions, including amount sent, destination country, currency availability, regulatory and foreign exchange issues, required receiver action(s), identification requirements, Agent location hours, differences in time zones, or selection of delayed options. Additional restrictions may apply. See Send Form for details.

[2] http://www.knomad.org/sites/default/files/2018-04/Migration%20and%20Development%20Brief%2029.pdf

[3] Network data as of June 30, 2018