Personal Finance Tips

Top payment methods in Sri Lanka: A guide on best ways to pay

Nicholas Chia

08.09.25

Read time 2 minutes

Wondering what the most popular ways to pay are in Sri Lanka? Explore the top payment options and choose wisely.

Sri Lanka, with a population of around 23.22 million people, has a GDP of approximately 98.96 billion, making it the 72nd largest economy in the world. The official currency of Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR).

The economy is driven by services, tourism, and the export of textiles, tea, and rubber. Its primary trading partners are the United States, the United Kingdom, and India.


Country	Sri Lanka
Population	23.22 million
GDP (USD)	98.96 billion
Global Ranking	72nd
Currency	Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)

What is the main payment method in Sri Lanka?

The primary payment method for the majority of transactions in Sri Lanka is physical cash, the Sri Lankan Rupee.¹ To drive digital adoption, the country is promoting LANKAQR, an interoperable national QR code standard that works across various banking and fintech apps.² In urban areas, supermarkets, and tourist establishments, debit and credit cards are also accepted.³

How to pay in Sri Lanka

Each country has its own way of moving money, and choosing the right method can sometimes be difficult. That’s why we have curated the most popular and best payment options for you to use in Sri Lanka.

Payment method	Description	Type
Wise	Wise provides international money transfer services. It is known for offering transparent, low-cost currency exchange rates and fast transfers. Wise uses the real mid-market exchange rate and charges a small, upfront fee, making it a cost-effective alternative to traditional banks for sending money abroad. The platform also offers multi-currency accounts, allowing users to hold and manage money in multiple currencies.	Online/in-person
Cash (Sri Lankan Rupee)	Cash is the primary and most widely used payment method for the majority of daily transactions.¹	In-person
Cards (Visa/Mastercard)	In urban areas, debit and credit cards are a common payment method for retail and online purchases.³	Online/in-person
Bank Transfers (LANKAQR)	The LANKAQR standard allows for interoperable QR code payments directly from a customer's bank or wallet app, and its adoption is being heavily promoted.²	Online/in-person
Digital Wallets	Digital wallets like Genie and FriMi are popular for P2P transfers and bill payments.⁴ ⁵	Online

Is PayPal available in Sri Lanka?

Yes, PayPal is accepted in Sri Lanka.⁶

Cover all your international travel expenses with the Wise Multi-Currency Card

Whatever you need to buy during your trip, whether it’s a travel adapter, train ticket or an extra bottle of sunscreen, the Wise Multi-Currency Card has you covered.

You can spend like a local in 150+ countries, as this clever contactless card automatically converts currency at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend - for just a small conversion fee.

And for extra convenience, you can add your Wise Multi-Currency Card to your Google Wallet or Apple Wallet. Then you can travel even lighter and pay using just your phone, with no need to pack the physical card.

Get started with Wise

*Wise is not a bank. The Wise Multi-Currency Card is issued by our sponsor Bank(s), member(s) FDIC. Fees and T&C apply. See https://growth-layer.live/a%3E for details.

Sources:

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.