GovPay: Transforming Government Transactions with Digital Payments Portal

e Ministry of Digital Economy in Sri Lanka is set to launch “GovPay,” a comprehensive digital payment platform aimed at transforming how citizens conduct transactions with government institutions. Scheduled for rollout by the end of January 2025, GovPay will initially integrate 16 government entities, with plans to incorporate an additional 30 institutions in subsequent phases, achieving full implementation by April 2025.

Supporting Organizations:

1. Ministry of Digital Economy – The main governmental body leading the GovPay initiative.
2. ICTA (Information and Communication Technology Agency) – Providing digital infrastructure and technological support.
3. LankaPay – Facilitating secure and efficient digital payment processing.

These organizations collectively support GovPay in its mission to digitalize government transactions, ensuring seamless, secure, and efficient payment solutions for citizens.

Objectives of GovPay:

• Enhancing Efficiency: By transitioning from cash-based transactions to digital payments, the government aims to streamline revenue collection processes, ensuring greater control, accuracy, security, and transparency in financial dealings.
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• Reducing Costs: Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne highlighted that cash transactions currently cost approximately 1.5% of the nation’s annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Digital payments are expected to significantly reduce these costs.
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• Combating Fraud and Corruption: The move to digital payments is anticipated to decrease manual labor and eliminate inefficiencies and corrupt practices, providing more convenient and reliable services to the public.
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Implementation Strategy:

GovPay will be accessible through fintech applications and online banking platforms, allowing citizens to make payments for government services conveniently. The phased rollout is designed to ensure a seamless, user-friendly experience, with continuous integration of additional government departments and services.

Expected Benefits:

• Operational Efficiency: The digitalization of payments is expected to enhance the efficiency of the overall system, reducing manual labor an streamlining process.
• Public Convenience: Citizens will enjoy more accessible services, with the ability to make payments through various digital platforms, reducing the need for in-person transactions.

This initiative aligns with Sri Lanka’s broader digital government strategy, integrating data-driven processes to improve operational efficiency and responsiveness, ultimately enhancing service delivery standards.

As the program progresses, the Ministry of Digital Economy plans to conduct public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on the benefits and usage of GovPay, ensuring widespread adoption and a smooth transition to digital payments.

For more detailed information, you can visit the official announcement by the Ministry of Digital Economy. (mode.gov.lk)