Colombo, August 2, 2025 — Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe has emphasised the urgent need to expand digital payment systems to rural and semi-urban regions, warning that unless villagers are included in Sri Lanka’s digital economy, public trust in cashless transactions will remain limited.
Speaking during a special outreach programme at the Dambulla Dedicated Economic Centre, the Governor noted that while the country has made commendable progress in introducing real-time bank transfers, QR code systems, and online government payment platforms, these advancements remain mostly confined to urban centres.
“We cannot build a truly digital economy if rural Sri Lankans are left behind,” Dr. Weerasinghe said. “Trust is built through experience. When someone in a village sees that they can use a QR code to buy their groceries or transfer funds to a family member in another district within seconds, that’s when digital inclusion becomes real.”
The Central Bank’s digital payment infrastructure includes the Common Electronic Fund Transfer Switch (CEFTS), which allows real-time interbank fund transfers, and LankaQR, a QR-based payment platform supported by most licensed financial institutions. Additionally, platforms like GovPay now enable digital payments for government services.
However, data from recent surveys show that adoption rates in districts like Monaragala, Anuradhapura, and Kilinochchi remain significantly below the national average. Many small traders and farmers cite concerns such as lack of smartphone access, unstable internet, and unfamiliarity with digital platforms.
Dr. Weerasinghe acknowledged these challenges but insisted that resolving them is critical to reducing Sri Lanka’s dependency on cash, curbing informal sector leakages, and enhancing financial transparency.
The CBSL plans to work more closely with local banks, cooperatives, and mobile service providers to deploy awareness campaigns and infrastructure upgrades targeting regional markets and public institutions outside major cities.
“Digital trust is not built with slogans. It’s built on daily, practical utility—especially in places that have been traditionally overlooked by financial innovation,” the Governor added.
The CBSL’s outreach campaign will continue across provincial markets through August, with a focus on providing live demonstrations, merchant onboarding, and user training sessions.
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