LankaQR Nepal payments now allow Nepali travellers to scan and pay at over 400,000 Sri Lankan merchants using domestic apps.
LankaQR Nepal payments have officially gone live, allowing Nepali travellers visiting Sri Lanka to make cashless digital payments at more than 400,000 LankaQR merchants using their domestic payment applications.
The cross-border QR payment connectivity was launched on 12 May 2026, marking a major step in regional digital payment interoperability between Sri Lanka and Nepal. Nepali users can now scan and pay in Sri Lanka through mobile banking apps, connectIPS and other participating domestic payment platforms.
The launch was formally announced at a special event in Colombo, attended by senior officials from Nepal Rastra Bank, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Nepal Clearing House Ltd. (NCHL) and LankaPay.
Officials said the initiative represents a significant advancement in regional financial integration and digital payment connectivity among South Asian nations, while strengthening secure, real-time and interoperable payment systems.
Nepal and Sri Lanka share longstanding historical, cultural and religious ties, supported by growing tourism and business exchanges. The new QR payment arrangement is expected to improve the travel experience for Nepali tourists and business visitors by offering a convenient, secure and cashless payment option without the need for physical currency exchange.
The link between the national payment infrastructures of Nepal and Sri Lanka also creates fresh opportunities for merchants, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, by giving them access to international customers through seamless digital acceptance.
Under the arrangement, Nepali users can make real-time payments in Sri Lanka by scanning LankaQR codes through participating payment applications from Nepal. Transactions will be processed through regulated and secure payment infrastructure, ensuring convenience, safety and efficiency for both users and merchants.
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 modern payment adoption.
By linking the two national payment ecosystems, the initiative is expected to support tourism, trade and people-to-people connectivity while contributing to broader regional digital cooperation.
