The most convenient medium currently being resorted to by Sri Lankans for purchasing goods and services is the credit card facilities like Visa, MasterCard, American Express etc.

However, the usage of such card facilities is still comparatively low in Sri Lanka due to the various other charges levied during such transactions. Based on the increase of the levies charged by these card providers on the values of usage, certain private sector businesses and government institutions like the Sri Lanka Customs, the Inland Revenue Department, the Excise Department etc are reluctant to accept these cards during payments.

Hence, based on a recommendation by the committee comprising senior officials from the relevant sectors which studied the recommendations by the Finance Ministry and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, a National Payment Platform is to be established to provide facilities to State institutions, businesses and the citizens in their ecommerce activities and electronic payment activities. A proposal by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake towards this was approved by the Cabinet.