Sri Lanka Introduces Bank Card Payments on Bus Routes from Monday

Sri Lanka’s public transport system is set to take a major digital leap as passengers will be able to pay bus fares using bank cards starting next Monday. This marks a significant milestone in the country’s transition toward a cashless transportation network.

The initiative is being rolled out by the Ministry of Transport and Highways, with technical support from the Ministry of Digital Economy, and will be officially launched at the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Center.

According to Sumudu Ratnayake, Advisor to the Ministry of Digital Economy, the first phase of the project will cover around 20 bus routes, including three major inter-provincial services. Passengers travelling to Galle, Matara, and Badulla will be among the first to benefit from the new digital payment system.

Five leading state and private banks have already expressed interest in partnering with the program. Officials noted that the system will help prevent issues related to giving passengers balance while also improving revenue accuracy for bus operators.