The Cabinet has approved a proposal to implement a programme to promote QR code-based digital payments, with no additional fees charged to either the sender or the receiver for transactions below Rs. 5,000.
The move is aimed at accelerating the adoption of digital payments as part of broader efforts to enhance economic efficiency, financial inclusion, and transparency.
Although the LankaQR system is currently linked with more than 20 financial institutions and nearly 30 mobile applications, its usage remains relatively low, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said.
In the third quarter of 2025, around 274,000 transactions were recorded via LankaQR, with a total value of approximately Rs. 1.18 billion. On average, this translates to about 90,000 transactions per month, with a total value of around Rs. 390 million. The average transaction value remains below Rs. 5,000, he added.
Asked whether the government plans to introduce an upper limit on transactions and reduce additional taxes on consumers, Minister Jayatissa said authorities are working toward a broader plan to promote digital payments.
The proposal was presented by the President in his capacity as Minister of Digital Economy, in line with the 2026 Budget, and received Cabinet approval. (Newswire)