The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has introduced new transaction limits and fee caps for the Common Electronic Fund Transfer Switch (CEFTS) to further enhance digital payment adoption across the country.

According to the latest Payment and Settlement Systems Circular No. 02 of 2025, issued under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, fund transfers via CEFTS will be limited to Rs. 5 million per transaction. However, higher limits have been set for specific payments made through the LankaPay Online Payment Platform (LPOPP), including up to Rs. 20 billion for Sri Lanka Customs and Rs. 10 billion for the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

The circular also enforces a cap on transaction fees. Digital fund transfers via internet banking, mobile banking, and ATMs within the CEFTS network will have a maximum fee of Rs. 25 per transaction, while over-the-counter and off-network ATM transfers will be capped at Rs. 100. Payments made through LPOPP, including tax payments to the IRD, will not exceed Rs. 25 per transaction. Additionally, payments made via the government’s GovPay platform will remain at Rs. 15 per transaction, as per a prior directive.

The new regulations, which replace the previous directive issued in December 2020, will take effect from February 15, 2025.