Launched in June 2026 under the banner “Building the Next Generation of Champion Athletes,” the Carnage Athlete Foundation is creating opportunities for Sri Lankan athletes to develop their potential and compete on the international stage.
With a focus on identifying and nurturing talent, the Foundation aims to provide sustained support for athletes at various stages of their sporting journeys.
Rather than concentrating on individual partnerships or short-term achievements, the initiative seeks to establish a long-term pathway for sporting development.
It also builds on Carnage’s existing commitment to local sport through its partnerships with the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka Rugby.
“Sri Lanka has no shortage of sporting talent, but athletes need the right support and opportunities to take their abilities to the next level.
Through the Carnage Athlete Foundation, we want to build something that goes beyond individual achievements and creates a lasting impact on the sporting landscape. We are proud of what our athletes have accomplished so far, and we see these successes as the beginning of a much bigger journey,” said Joel Tillekeratne, Director and CEO of Carnage.
Among the Foundation’s recent achievements is the performance of Khalid Oshman, who became the first visually impaired Sri Lankan to compete at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.
Competing alongside his guide, Mithun Liyanage, Oshman secured first place in the Para Open category, marking a significant milestone for Sri Lankan para sport.
Powerlifters Uvindu Jayasinghe and Rashitha de Silva also delivered notable performances at the 2026 Commonwealth Powerlifting Championship.
Jayasinghe secured the bronze medal after climbing from 10th place to finish third, while de Silva claimed silver with a second-place finish.
Beyond competitive achievements, the Foundation’s athletes are also demonstrating how sport can contribute to social causes. Ultra-runner Cathryn Smart covered more than 330 kilometres across Sri Lanka to raise funds for a local charity supporting communities in need, highlighting the potential of sporting pursuits to create a wider social impact.
From international podium finishes to nurturing emerging junior talent, these achievements reflect the Carnage Athlete Foundation’s commitment to supporting athletes across multiple disciplines.
Through sustained investment in sporting talent, the Foundation aims to help more Sri Lankan athletes reach their potential and strengthen the country’s presence on the international sporting stage.
Sampath Bank Teams Up with Bancstac to Introduce Google Pay Acceptance for Merchants
Sampath Bank has enabled Google Pay acceptance for businesses through its Internet Payment Gateway (IPG), powered by Bancstac. The new capability allows merchants to offer Google Pay as a payment option, giving customers a secure and seamless checkout experience with biometric authentication on Android devices.
A New Payment Option for Merchants
Merchants can now offer Google Pay across e-commerce websites, mobile applications and digital invoices. By integrating one of the world’s widely used digital wallets, businesses can access a broader customer base, with Google Pay supporting more than 250 million wallet users across 85 countries.
Importantly, businesses already using the Sampath Bank IPG, as well as those onboarding onto the gateway, can enable the capability without additional technical integration or development.
How Google Pay Checkout Works
When customers select Google Pay on a merchant’s payment page, the IPG facilitates a secure transaction using tokenisation, helping protect sensitive card details from being exposed or shared. Customers authenticate transactions through security measures such as biometric verification or device passcodes.
Once authentication is complete, Bancstac processes the transaction in real time, while financial reconciliation is managed automatically through Sampath Bank’s standard settlement process. This simplifies payment administration and accounting for merchants.
Chirath Samarasekara, Head of Card Centre at Sampath Bank, said, “At Sampath Bank, we continually adopt new technologies that drive higher customer engagement and add tangible value to our payment ecosystem. We are proud to extend our strategic partnership with Bancstac to deliver Google Pay capabilities to our extensive merchant base. This solution provides our business partners with an effortless tool to grow their business to more customers and countries whilst offering the convenience and security of Google Pay.”
Carnage-Sponsored International Athletes Shine on the Global Stage
