HNB PLC, Sri Lanka’s leading private sector bank, announced a partnership with the Road Development Authority (RDA) to launch the island’s first card-based toll payment system, marking a significant step forward in enhancing commuter convenience and modernising national transport infrastructure. The pilot phase of the initiative was officially launched on April 11, 2025, at the Kottawa and Kadawatha interchanges on the Southern Expressway.
The initiative follows the official agreement signed on April 9, 2025, between HNB and the RDA at the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation. HNB was selected to power the project through a competitive tender process. As part of the rollout, motorists will now be able to pay toll charges using credit and debit cards directly at highway booths — a departure from the previously cash-only model.
Enabled via HNB’s secure Card Acceptance infrastructure, the system supports Visa, Mastercard, American Express (Amex), and LankaPay JCB cards, offering secured and seamless payment experiences to customers. Importantly, the service is available to all cardholders of all Sri Lankan banks, and will be rolled out across the entire highway network.
HNB Managing Director/CEO Damith Pallewatte led the first official card-based transaction at the launch event and underscored the Bank’s commitment to simplifying everyday journeys for the public. “This initiative is another compelling example of how technology can help to enhance everyday payments, making them quick, and hassle-free. At scale, this technology also enables greater efficiency, cutting road congestion, and supports Sri Lanka’s transformation into a cashless, future-ready economy.”
Also speaking at the event, HNB Chief Operating Officer, Sanjay Wijemanne, said: “Implementing a digital, card-based toll system gives us a powerful opportunity to optimize travel within Sri Lanka. The introduction of cashless toll payments also creates opportunities for the deployment of advanced monitoring and analytics, allowing us to predict and streamline management of traffic on Sri Lankan highways. Working closely with the RDA, we are setting a new benchmark for operational excellence in public infrastructure.”
As we move towards a fully digital future, this collaboration underscores HNB’s commitment to driving innovation in everyday services. This transition to card-based toll payments not only simplifies the travel experience for motorists but also sets the foundation for a modern, cashless infrastructure across Sri Lanka’s expressways.”
Hon. Min. Bimal Rathnayake, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, commented: “Our aim has always been to make public services simpler and more accessible. Partnering with HNB to introduce card payments on expressways is a meaningful step in that direction. It’s a practical upgrade for commuters and a move that reflects our broader push towards modernising infrastructure through digital solutions.”
The launch marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of Sri Lanka’s expressway infrastructure, as the nation moves toward a digital-first future for public utilities and services
