Short answer

• For everyday person-to-person and bill payments, using a Sri Lankan bank’s mobile banking app (or LankaPay CEFTS-connected apps) or a LANKAQR-enabled app will generally give you the lowest customer fees — CEFTS mobile/internet transfers have a regulatory cap of LKR 25 per transaction (as of the Central Bank / LankaPay guidance published 7 Feb 2025), and LANKAQR customer payments are processed without a customer fee. (en.wikipedia.org)

What that means in practice

• Bank mobile apps (Sampath, Commercial, HNB, Bank of Ceylon, etc.) that are connected to the Common Electronic Fund Transfer Switch (CEFTS) will not charge more than LKR 25 for an interbank mobile/internet transfer (and often charge zero for same‑bank transfers) — so these apps are typically the cheapest for transfers. (en.wikipedia.org)
• LANKAQR payments (QR scan at merchants via certified bank/payment apps) are customer‑free — merchants or their acquirers handle the MDR. Use any LANKAQR‑enabled app (most bank apps and large wallets support it) for zero‑fee merchant payments. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Mobile-money/e‑wallet providers (mCash, OnePay, Genie/Dialog, etc.) and payment gateways may have percentage fees or fixed fees for some services (merchant acceptance, card payments, remittances). Their customer fees vary by service and provider, so they can be higher than CEFTS/LANKAQR for certain transaction types. Examples: mCash and OnePay advertise low/transparent charges but their fee models differ by transaction type. (lankabusinessnews.com)

Specific examples from providers (illustrative)

• CEFTS / LankaPay cap on customer charges (Internet/Mobile) — LKR 25 per transaction (Payment & Settlement Systems guidance, Feb 7, 2025). (en.wikipedia.org)
• LANKAQR — customer payments are processed without a customer fee; merchants may pay MDR. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Mobile wallets / payment apps (mCash, OnePay, Genie/Dialog) advertise low-cost remittances and wallet transfers but may charge for specific billers, card/merchant services or cross-border remittances — check each provider for exact fees. (lankabusinessnews.com)

Practical recommendation (quick steps)

1. For lowest fees on everyday transfers: use your bank’s mobile app (CEFTS‑connected) — expected maximum customer charge LKR 25; many same‑bank transfers are free. (en.wikipedia.org)
2. For merchant purchases: use a LANKAQR‑enabled app (bank app or certified wallet) — customers normally pay no fee. (en.wikipedia.org)
3. For international remittances or special services: compare providers (mCash, OnePay, Genie, remittance apps) because percentage fees and FX margins vary. (lankabusinessnews.com)
4. Before transacting, open the bank/wallet app’s fee schedule or the bank’s website (or the app’s payment confirmation screen) — many providers show fees before you confirm.

If you’d like, tell me which bank or wallet you use (or plan to use) and I’ll look up that app’s current fee schedule and confirm the cheapest option for your exact use case.