Are you planning a trip to Sri Lanka? Then we come bearing some good news! Seeing how reliant we are on online payments, PhonePe has come together with LankaPay to enable UPI transactions through their app in Sri Lanka as well! Indians can now use their PhonePe app to scan LankaQR codes to make payments. This will take away the stress of carrying cash and calculating currency conversions for visitors in Sri Lanka.
PhonePe Allows Cross-Border UPI Transactions In Sri Lanka
If a trip to Sri Lanka is on the cards for you, then you don’t have to worry about converting currency or the hassle of carrying cash anymore! PhonePe has rolled out UPI services in Sri Lanka in collaboration with LankaPay. This partnership will allow PhonePe users to use the app to scan and make payments with UPI across LankaPay QR merchants.
As per reports, these transactions will be safe and facilitated by the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and LankaPay National Payment Network. The best part is that this will quicken the payment process, and allow tourists to travel without worrying about carrying cash or calculating currency conversions.
It is to be noted that India’s UPI services were introduced in Sri Lanka and Mauritius in February this year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, and Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth attended a virtual event to roll out this service in the two island countries. This move is likely to boost tourism in Sri Lanka further. The country went through its worst economic crisis two years ago and tourism has been one of the key points in boosting its economy.
Also Read: Uber Set To Operate Bus Services In Delhi; Receives Licence From The Delhi Transport Department
Everything You Need To Know About This New Service
Now, how will these UPI payments by PhonePe work in Sri Lanka? Well, quite easily! To begin with, the amount will be debited from your account in Indian rupees. You will be shown the currency exchange rates during the transaction. The merchant on the other hand will receive the payment in Lankan rupees. The service is now in effect in Sri Lanka and Indian tourists are allowed to make UPI transactions there. You can basically make payments in Sri Lanka just like you do back home!
Talking about this new payment service, LankaPay CEO, Channa de Silva, said, “We are excited about the potential of this collaboration that would enhance the payment experience to Indian tourists and business travellers during their stay in Sri Lanka and also provide the merchants with a cost-effective proposition to card payments.”
As a population that’s so dependent on online and UPI payments, this is absolutely amazing news! Do let us know your thoughts on this in the comments!
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva & PhonePe
For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE.