Nepalis travelling to Sri Lanka can now use their domestic payment app to scan & pay at more than 400,000 LankaQR merchants

In a significant milestone for regional digital payment interoperability, on 12^th May 2026 Sri Lanka and Nepal officially launched cross-border QR payment connectivity, enabling Nepali travellers visiting Sri Lanka to make seamless digital payments using their domestic payment applications, including mobile banking apps and connectIPS, at more than 400,000 merchants accepting LankaQR payments across Sri Lanka.

The launch was formally announced at a special event held in Colombo in the presence of senior officials from the Nepal Rastra Bank, Central Bank of Sri Lanka, senior representatives from Nepal Clearing House Ltd. (NCHL) and LankaPay. The initiative marks a major advancement in regional financial integration and digital payment connectivity between South Asian nations, further strengthening secure, real-time, and interoperable payment ecosystems.

Nepal and Sri Lanka share longstanding historical, cultural, and religious ties, supported by growing tourism and business exchanges between the two countries. The new cross-border QR payment arrangement is expected to significantly enhance the travel experience for Nepali tourists and business visitors by providing a convenient, secure, and cashless payment option without the hassle of physical currency exchange. The interoperability between the national payment infrastructures of Nepal and Sri Lanka also opens new opportunities for merchants, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, by enabling access to international customers through seamless digital acceptance.

Under this arrangement, Nepali users can make real-time payments in Sri Lanka by simply scanning LankaQR codes using participating payment applications from Nepal. Transactions are processed through regulated and secure payment infrastructure, ensuring convenience, safety, and efficiency for users and merchants alike.

Neelesh Man Singh Pradhan, Chief Executive Officer of NCHL, said “This partnership with LankaPay represents a significant step towards enabling convenient, affordable, and secure cross-border QR payments for consumers and businesses between Nepal and Sri Lanka. The initiative is expected to strengthen regional payment interoperability and further promote digital economic connectivity across South Asia.”

Channa de Silva, Chief Executive Officer of LankaPay, said “The launch of cross-border QR payments between Sri Lanka and Nepal marks another important milestone in LankaPay’s journey to expand international payment interoperability. This collaboration will enhance the historical ties between the two countries while providing greater convenience to travelers and local businesses. This initiative will also support the broader vision of growing seamless digital payments in the region.”

The cross-border QR payment connectivity reflects the shared commitment of both countries to promote inclusive digital financial services, strengthen regional payment interoperability, and accelerate the adoption of modern payment systems. By linking the two national payment ecosystems, the initiative is expected to support tourism, trade, and people-to-people connectivity while contributing to the broader vision of regional digital cooperation.

Caption- (L-R) - Mr. Umesh Singh Bhandari, Board Of Director, Nepal Clearing House Limited and DCEO, Shangri-La Development Bank Ltd; Mr. Neelesh Man Singh Pradhan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - Nepal Clearing House Limited;             Ms. Roshani Karki, Asst. Director, Payment Systems Department - Nepal Rastra Bank; Ms. Samjhana Dhakal, Director, Payment Systems Department - Nepal Rastra Bank;             Mr. C. P. S. Bandara, Assistant Governor – Central Bank of Sri Lanka; Mr. K. V. K. Alwis; Director, Payment and Settlement – Central Bank of Sri Lanka; Ms. Manisha Wimalasuriya, Additional Director, Payment and Settlement – Central Bank of Sri Lanka; Mr. Channa De Silva, Chief Executive Officer – LankaPay (Private) Limited; and Mr. Dinuka Perera, Deputy Chief Executive Officer – LankaPay (Private) Limited