May 12, 2026

Sri Lanka and Nepal Launch Cross-Border Digital Payment Connectivity to Strengthen Regional Financial Integration

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 12th 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.

About Nepal Clearing House Ltd.

Nepal Clearing House Ltd. (NCHL) is a public limited company promoted by the central bank of Nepal along with banks and financial institutions in Nepal to establish and operate multiple national payment systems and infrastructures. NCHL currently operates more than ten national-level systemically important payment infrastructures in Nepal, including the Electronic Cheque Clearing (ECC), Interbank Payment System (IPS), Retail Payment Switch (RPS), connectRTGS, National Payments Interface (NPI), connectIPS, CORPORATEPAY, National Payment Switch (NPS), NEPALPAY QR, NEPALPAY Card, EFT Switch, and NPIx for cross-border payment integrations. Its systems and networks are used by all major banks and financial institutions in Nepal, along with numerous non-bank entities and government institutions. During the last fiscal year, NCHL processed non-cash transactions exceeding NPR 18.6 trillion (approximately USD 124 billion) in settlement value.

About LankaPay

Established in 2002, LankaPay is Sri Lanka’s national payment network, operating under the guidance of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Since commencing operations as the National Cheque Clearing House, LankaPay has evolved into a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s digital payment ecosystem, facilitating majority of the domestic interbank payments and settlements. Owned jointly by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and public and private sector banks, LankaPay is widely regarded as one of the most successful public-private partnerships in the region. The organization remains committed to advancing digital payments and fostering a financially connected society through the development of modern, secure, and interoperable payment infrastructure.

Launched in 2020 under the patronage of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, LANKAQR is Sri Lanka’s national QR payment platform. It is an interoperable QR code standard that complies with EMVCo specifications, enabling customers to make seamless payments across participating financial institutions using any LANKAQR-enabled mobile payment application. At present, 22 financial institutions are connected to the LANKAQR network, and Nepal Clearing House Limited (NCHL) is the fifth international payment network to connect to LANKAQR, further strengthening the country’s cross-border digital payment capabilities.