In a major step towards the government’s digital transformation programme, members of the public can now make payments using credit and debit cards at all Divisional Secretariats in the Colombo District from today.
The new payment facility was officially launched at the Thimbirigasyaya Divisional Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
During the event, the Prime Minister inaugurated Point of Sale (POS) machines installed at the Registrar’s Division and the Vehicle Revenue Licence Division. She also observed the issuance of birth certificates and vehicle revenue licences through the newly introduced digital payment system.
The initiative has been implemented by the Colombo District Secretariat with financial and technical assistance from the Bank of Ceylon, covering all 13 Divisional Secretariats in the district.
The new system enables the public to make secure card payments for government services, reducing the need for cash transactions.
Speaking at the launch, Prime Minister Amarasuriya said modernizing the public sector through digital technology is one of the government’s key priorities. She noted that the initiative would improve the efficiency of public services, speed up transactions, enhance transparency in revenue collection, and reduce the risk of fraud.
The POS payment system is expected to offer several benefits, including greater convenience through cashless payments, shorter waiting times, faster service delivery, more accurate government revenue reporting, and wider adoption of digital payment technologies as part of Sri Lanka’s transition towards a digital economy.
