Sri Lanka has officially launched bank-issued credit and debit card payments for bus fares, marking a major step toward modernizing public transport. The system was introduced this morning (24) at the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Center under the patronage of Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake.
The rollout includes expressway routes connecting Makumbura with Matara, Galle, Badulla, and Colombo–Ampara. As part of the event, the National Transport Medical Institute also conducted routine health checks to ensure bus drivers were not under the influence of prohibited substances.
Minister Rathnayake noted that several regional transport authorities have already begun introducing card-based payments. In the Western Province, buses operating between Borella and Kadawatha have adopted the system, while the Uva Province has implemented it on routes such as Badulla–Bandarawela, Dambulla–Mahiyanganaya, Monaragala–Bibila, and Monaragala–Wellawaya.
Additional routes—including Colombo–Vavuniya, Kadawatha–Maharagama, Makumbura–Tangalle, and Makumbura–Agunukolapelessa—will adopt the system tomorrow (25).
During a separate launch event in Koswatta, Thalangama, the Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority confirmed that all expressway buses in the province are expected to support card payments by December.
Chairman Gamini Jasinghe added that the system will continue expanding through 2026:
“We aim to introduce this system to all expressway buses within the coming weeks. In January, it will extend to luxury buses and selected regular buses. Our goal is to complete the rollout for all buses in the Western Province by the end of next year.”
