Alipay+ has officially launched in Sri Lanka in partnership with LankaPay, marking the biggest acceptance of cross-border payments in the country. In the first phase, over 400,000 LANKAQR merchants across Sri Lanka will be able to accept mobile payments from tourists using 14 international e-wallets.
This collaboration enables travelers from 10 countries and regions to make payments using their preferred home payment apps, enhancing convenience for mobile-savvy customers and supporting Sri Lanka’s tourism sector. With Alipay+ connecting over 1.7 billion users globally, Sri Lanka is set to benefit from increased business for local merchants and a boost in foreign exchange.
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) identified key markets such as Italy, Singapore, Malaysia, China, South Korea, and Thailand as major sources of growth. With an increase in tourist arrivals by 38% in 2024, Sri Lanka is aiming for 3 million arrivals in 2025 and $5 billion in tourism-related revenue.
LankaPay CEO Channa de Silva and Ant International General Manager Edward Yue both emphasized the importance of this collaboration in enhancing payment convenience for tourists and contributing to Sri Lanka’s digital transformation and tourism growth.
