Sampath Bank commissions Sri Lanka’s first ATM to change foreign currency

Friday, 25 January 2013 04:27 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sampath Bank yesterday scored yet another ‘first’ with the opening of Sri Lanka’s first ATM with the facility to exchange foreign currency.

The ATM is located at the bank’s head office at 110, Sir James Peiris Mawatha, Colombo 2, and was commissioned by the Governor of the Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabraal.

Cabraal cashing in on currency!

Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal commissions Sampath Bank's and Sri Lanka’s first ATM with the facility to exchange foreign currency. Sampath Bank Chairman Dhammika Perera is also present

– Pic by Lasantha Kumara

Gracing the occasion were Deputy Governors of the Central Bank, Sampath Bank Chairman Dhammika Perera, Managing Director Aravinda Perera, and members of the Board of Directors. Senior officials of the Central Bank’s Foreign Exchange Department and Sampath Bank were also present.

Sampath Bank account holders as well as non-account holders can exchange foreign currency through this ATM. An ATM card is not necessary to access the machine; the user can do so by inserting his or her passport number or National Identity Card number.

At the initial stages only US Dollars can be used for transactions, however the bank hopes to extend the facility to other foreign currencies in the near future. There is no need to be a customer of Sampath Bank to obtain the service of this novel ATM machine.