### UPI Merchant Acceptance Expands in Sri Lanka to Boost Indian Tourism 📈

NPCI International (NIPL) has reaffirmed its commitment to scaling Unified Payments Interface (UPI) acceptance across Sri Lanka, integrating with the local LankaQR infrastructure to facilitate seamless cross-border transactions for Indian travelers. • Tourism Impact: India remains the top source market for Sri Lanka. Arrivals grew from 416,000 in 2024 to 531,000 in 2025, representing a significant YoY increase. UPI integration targets high-spend segments including weddings, retail, and spiritual tourism. • Sector Adoption: The system is already live at major establishments, including Cinnamon Hotels, Taj Hotels, Keells Supermarket, Odel, and Barista. NIPL is working with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to further penetrate the hospitality, retail, and essential services sectors. • Economic Benefits: • For Merchants: Access to a digitally savvy customer base, improved cash management, and reduced reliance on physical currency. • For Travelers: Real-time payments directly from Indian bank accounts with transparent exchange rates and enhanced security. • Strategic Context: UPI currently powers 49% of global instant payments, processing over 20 billion transactions monthly. This collaboration with LankaPay strengthens the digital economy and bilateral trade ties between India and Sri Lanka.