Sri Lanka (LK)
Sri Lanka is South Asia's most beloved island destination — a tropical tear-drop off India's southern tip offering ancient Buddhist temples, colonial hill stations, spice gardens, surf beaches, and world-renowned tea.
Digital Services
Digital ID, e-government and essential apps in Sri Lanka.
National Identity Card (NIC) / Sri Lanka Digital Identity
The National Identity Card (NIC) is the primary identity document for Sri Lankan citizens. For foreign nationals, the passport serves as identity. Sri Lanka launched a Digital NIC system (eNIC) and the Lanka Government Cloud (LGC) for digital government services. The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) manages e-Government services.
How to get it: Foreign nationals cannot obtain a Sri Lankan NIC — the passport is the accepted identity document for all purposes. For Sri Lankan citizens: apply through the Department of Registration of Persons (drp.gov.lk). The digital eNIC is available through the LGC portal.
E-Government Portal
https://www.gov.lkSri Lanka's e-Government progress is uneven — some services (ETA, IRD RAMIS, business registration) are well-digitised. Many municipal services still require in-person visits. The ICTA (icta.lk) is the body driving digital government transformation. The gov.lk portal links to all available e-services.
Essential Apps
PickMe
FreeSri Lanka's dominant ride-hailing app — tuk-tuks, cars, and bikes. More affordable and reliable than Uber. Essential for daily life.
Uber
FreeAvailable in Colombo but less used than PickMe. More consistent for airport transfers with predictable pricing.
PickMe Food
FreeSri Lanka's most popular food delivery platform. Vast restaurant selection across Colombo. 30–60 minute delivery.
Keells Super App / Keells.com
FreeOnline grocery shopping from Keells Super (premium supermarket chain). Home delivery available in Colombo.
SLR Go (Sri Lanka Railways)
FreeTrain schedule and booking for Sri Lanka Railways. Check schedules for the scenic Colombo–Kandy and Colombo–Ella routes.
Dialog MyAccount / Dialog Selfcare
FreeManage your Dialog mobile, broadband, and TV account. Bill payment and data top-ups. Essential for Dialog subscribers.
LankaQR / FriMi / Wave
FreeLankaQR is the national QR payment standard. FriMi (Nations Trust Bank digital wallet) and Wave (Hatton National Bank) are popular digital payment apps.
Genie by Commercial Bank
FreeCommercial Bank's mobile banking and payment app. Best for expats banking with Commercial Bank — SWIFT transfers, LankaQR, bill payments.
Wise (formerly TransferWise)
FreeBest rate for international transfers to and from Sri Lanka. Significantly cheaper than bank SWIFT fees for remittances.
Primary messaging platform in Sri Lanka — used by everyone from colleagues to landlords to government officers.
Daraz Sri Lanka
FreeSri Lanka's largest e-commerce marketplace (owned by Alibaba). Electronics, household goods, fashion, and more. Delivery across Sri Lanka.
ExpatCheapRent
FreeExpat-focused cheap rental finder at expatcheaprent.com — compares listings across major rental portals to help newcomers find affordable apartments.
Ikman.lk
FreeSri Lanka's most popular classifieds platform — buy/sell used goods, find apartments, vehicles, and services.
ETA App (eta.gov.lk)
PaidApply for Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorisation. Essential for visitors; also useful for tracking ETA status.
Sri Lanka has strong 4G coverage in Colombo and major cities (Dialog and Mobitel are the best networks). Rural coverage is variable. Dialog 4G is the recommended network for speed and reliability. 5G is being rolled out in Colombo in 2025–2026. SIM cards require passport registration — purchase at Dialog/Mobitel outlets with passport. International top-up (add credit from abroad) is possible via the network apps. Physical cash (LKR) is still widely needed — many small vendors and markets are cash-only. Google Pay and Apple Pay have limited acceptance compared to LankaQR at partnered merchants.