ICTA and Dialog to facilitate mobile payment

The Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) and Dialog Axiata PLC entered into an agreement recently to facilitate online payments using Dialog phones.

The exchange of documents took place at the Central Bank on Tuesday.

ICTA Chairman, Prof. P.W. Epasinghe, Dialog Axiata Group Chief Executive Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, ICTA Director and Legal Advisor Jayantha Fernando and Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Deputy Governor Ananda Silva and Central Bank officials were present.

The Mobile Payment and Transaction Service - eZ Cash is made on Lanka Gate. 'Lanka Gate' is a key national software infrastructure implemented by ICTA, which is envisioned to be the gateway for electronic information and electronic delivery in Sri Lanka.

Lanka Government Payment Service (LGPS) was initiated and developed by ICTA to enable multiple payment options for eServices through the Lanka Gate initiative and other services from government organisations.

ICTA Chairman, Prof P. W. Epasinghe said, "This is an important milestone for a service-oriented government in serving those who need Government services. Mobile penetration in Sri Lanka is far greater than any other electronic medium. Therefore, leveraging on mobiles as a payment mechanism for Government paying services will pave the way for citizens who are either reluctant to use their credit or debit cards or don't have cards, to obtain government services."

"We are honoured to have been selected as the mobile payments provider to Lanka Gate," said Dialog Axiata PLC Group Executive Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya.

"The integration of eZ Cash within the Lanka Government Payment Service environment, takes Sri Lanka a step closer to an era where the mobile phone is rendered a principal and inclusive electronic payment instrument in the hands of citizens," he said.