# Sri Lanka — payment codes and schemes

> Source: https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/LK
> extracted at 2026-10-03
> Publisher: Barcoder — encyclopedia of QR, barcode and payment-code standards

## Summary

- **LankaQR** is the national QR code standard (2019)
- **400,000+ merchants** participating
- **CBSL** oversees with LankaClear as operator
- **UPI integration** for Indian tourists (2024)
- **2025 relaunch** planned to address adoption barriers

## Banking landscape

### Central Bank
- **Name:** Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL)
- **Website:** https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/
- **Role:** Monetary policy, payment systems regulation

### Major Banks (2024)

| Rank | Bank Name | Type | Digital Platform |
|------|-----------|------|------------------|
| 1 | Bank of Ceylon | State | BOC Digital |
| 2 | People's Bank | State | People's App |
| 3 | Commercial Bank | Private | ComBank Q+ |
| 4 | Hatton National Bank | Private | HNB Mobile |
| 5 | Sampath Bank | Private | Sampath Digital |

### Market Structure
- **State banks:** BOC, People's Bank
- **Private leaders:** Commercial, HNB, Sampath
- **LankaClear:** Payment infrastructure operator
- **LankaPay:** Payment services brand

### SME Contribution
- SMEs contribute 52% to GDP
- Key beneficiaries of LankaQR
- Formalizing informal economy

---

## Payment infrastructure

### National Payment Systems

| System | Operator | Type | Status |
|--------|----------|------|--------|
| LankaQR | LankaClear/CBSL | Unified QR | Active |
| CEFTS | LankaClear | Real-time | Active |
| SLIPS | LankaClear | Interbank | Active |
| JustPay | LankaPay | Online | Active |

### LankaClear Role
- Entrusted by CBSL
- Implements LankaQR
- Operates payment infrastructure
- Ensures interoperability

### LankaPay Services
- LankaQR merchant payments
- JustPay online payments
- Fund transfers
- Bill payments

---

## QR code standards

### LankaQR

| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **Introduction** | October 12, 2018 |
| **Launch** | March 11, 2019 |
| **Operator** | LankaClear (CBSL mandate) |
| **Merchants** | 400,000+ |

### LankaQR Features
- National standardized QR
- Interoperable across banks
- Single QR for all providers
- CBSL regulated

### Cross-Border Integration (2024)

| Country | System | Status |
|---------|--------|--------|
| India | UPI/PhonePe | Active |
| China | Alipay | In progress |
| China | WeChat Pay | In progress |

- 350,000+ merchant points for UPI
- Indian tourist convenience
- 400,000 merchants for Chinese apps

### 2025 Relaunch Plans
- Address adoption barriers
- Digital identity integration
- Highway toll payments
- Fee structure improvements

---

## Mobile payment apps

| App | Provider | LankaQR | Notes |
|-----|----------|---------|-------|
| ComBank Q+ | Commercial Bank | Yes | First QR app |
| HNB Mobile | HNB | Yes | MDR waiver 2025 |
| Sampath Vishwa | Sampath | Yes | Active |
| FriMi | Nations Trust | Yes | Digital wallet |
| Mintpay | Fintech | Yes | BNPL + QR |

### ComBank Q+ (First LankaQR App)
- First QR-based payment app
- Commercial Bank of Ceylon
- LankaQR compliant
- Launched early

### HNB MDR Waiver (2025)
- Eliminated MDR for merchants
- Avurudu season promotion
- Adoption incentive

---

## Schemes

| Scheme | Type | Symbology | Adoption | Technical standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [LankaQR](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/LK/lankaqr) | Unified QR | CBSL | 400K+ merchants | [`lankaqr`](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/lankaqr) |
| [UPI Cross-border](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/LK/upi-cross-border) | International | UPI | 350K+ points | — |
| [CEFTS](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/LK/cefts) | Real-time | LankaClear | Universal | — |

## Sources

- [CBSL - LankaQR](https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/en/LANKAQR)
- [CBSL - National QR Code](https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/en/node/8816)
- [CBSL - Payment Services Guide](https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/en/news/guide-to-payment-services-in-sri-lanka-booklet)
- [Wikipedia - LankaQR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LankaQR)
- [LankaClear - LankaQR](https://www.lankaclear.com/products-and-services/lankaqr/)
- [LankaPay - LankaQR](https://www.lankapay.net/en/for-financial/lanka-qr)
- [Commercial Bank - ComBank Q+](https://www.combank.lk/news/news-events/commercial-bank-launches-combank-q-sri-lankas-first-qr-based-payment-app-under-lankaqr)
- [The Morning - ComBank Q+](http://www.themorning.lk/biz-pg-6-commercial-bank-launches-sri-lankas-first-qr-code-payment-app/)
- [CBSL - Directions Circulars](https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/en/laws/directions-circulars-guidelines-on-payments-and-settlements)
- [Finap - BNPL Sri Lanka](https://finapworldwide.com/buy-now-pay-later-qr-payments-in-sri-lanka-bnpl/)

## Full country report

[LK-sri-lanka.md](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/LK)