Below is a practical, up‑to‑date comparison of digital banking services in Sri Lanka (how they work, who the main players are, strengths/weaknesses, and what to check when choosing one). I looked at national payment rails, the big bank apps, government initiatives and common fintech/wallets so you can compare on features that matter.

Quick summary (one line)

• LankaPay infrastructure (CEFTS, LankaQR) and recent GOVPAY rollout make instant interbank transfers and QR payments widely available; among banks, HNB, NTB and Commercial Bank (ComBank) are frequently recommended for mobile UX and features, while Sampath, DFCC and state banks offer strong reach and specific services. (en.wikipedia.org)

What to compare (criteria)

• Core payments: instant interbank real‑time transfers (CEFTS), QR acceptance (LankaQR), card & cardless payments. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Account opening / KYC: fully digital onboarding vs branch required.
• App features & UX: balance, statements export, scheduled payments, budgets, e-statements, biometrics, token/OTP handling.
• Fees & limits: per‑transfer fees, merchant MDR for QR, ATM/over‑the‑counter charges. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Ecosystem & integrations: links to e‑wallets, merchants, GOVPAY and payroll/APIs. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Security & regulation: adherence to Central Bank rules, PSD/settlement circulars and national laws (e.g., Online Safety Act impacts online services). (en.wikipedia.org)

Key national infrastructure (important foundations)

• CEFTS (Common Electronic Fund Transfer Switch, LankaPay): real‑time 24/7 interbank transfers used by most banks; low maximum customer charges set for internet/mobile transfers. This is the backbone for instant transfers between banks. (en.wikipedia.org)
• LankaQR: national QR standard enabling cross‑app merchant QR payments and (increasingly) cross‑border UPI acceptance for tourists. Widely supported by banks and acquirers. (en.wikipedia.org)
• GOVPAY (government payments portal, launched 2025): centralised gateway for paying government fees/services; integrates with banks and fintechs so you can pay taxes/fees from apps that support GOVPAY. (en.wikipedia.org)

How major banks compare (practical highlights)

• HNB (Hatton National Bank)
  • Strengths: modern mobile app, good UX, broad feature set (payments, cards, e‑commerce integrations). Frequently noted for usability. (user reports + bank digital initiatives). (reddit.com)
• NTB (Nations Trust Bank)
  • Strengths: praised for UX and descriptive transaction details; good for retail customers wanting clear statements. User reports rate it highly for digital. (reddit.com)
• Commercial Bank (ComBank)
  • Strengths: large bank with extensive digital products (ComBank Digital / Flash / ePassBook); powerful corporate and retail features though app experiences have been mixed in user reports. Good merchant acquiring & corporate APIs. (reddit.com)
• Sampath Bank
  • Strengths: solid retail presence; Vishwa app used widely with reliable core features; good branch + digital coverage for many customers. (reddit.com)
• DFCC Bank
  • Strengths: focused on digital transformation with DFCC One app, digital onboarding and SME/corporate services; good for businesses and customers wanting modern features. (en.wikipedia.org)
• State banks (BOC, People’s Bank)
  • Strengths: branch/ATM coverage, government payroll and older customer base; apps and UX historically less polished than private banks.

Popular digital wallets / fintechs

• Telco & wallet players (e.g., Dialog’s eZ Cash historically; local wallet/payments gateways): useful for merchant payments, airtime, P2P topups and are often integrated into LankaQR and bank rails. (wallet market is active and evolving). (en.wikipedia.org)
• Local PSPs and merchant gateways (PayHere, 99x‑type players, PickMe Pay integrations): commonly used by e‑commerce and small merchants; integrate with LankaPay rails.

Typical advantages & tradeoffs

• Large private banks (HNB, ComBank, NTB): best UX, faster feature rollout, better APIs and merchant integration, but sometimes slightly higher fees for certain services. (reddit.com)
• Sampath / DFCC / state banks: excellent branch/ATM reach and specific product strengths (SME lending, payroll), but UX varies. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Wallets/fintechs: super‑convenient for small merchants, QR payments and P2P; check merchant MDRs and cash‑in/out options.

Fees, speed and limits (what to expect)

• Instant interbank transfers: CEFTS enables 24/7 real‑time transfers; LankaPay/CBSL publish maximum customer charges (example caps published around GOVPAY/CEFTS updates). Check your bank’s exact fees and daily limits. (en.wikipedia.org)
• LankaQR merchant fees: merchants pay MDR; customers typically pay no fee. (en.wikipedia.org)

Security & regulation

• Central Bank of Sri Lanka sets payment/settlement rules (CEFTS guidance, circulars) and requires banks/PSPs to follow KYC/AML and operational rules. National laws (e.g., Online Safety Act / data rules) can affect data handling and online services — check provider privacy/security statements. (en.wikipedia.org)

Practical recommendations — how to choose

1. Start with your needs:
   • Frequent P2P / instant transfers: choose a bank with strong CEFTS support + low per‑transfer fees. (HNB/NTB/ComBank are good candidates.) (en.wikipedia.org)
   • Merchant payments / small business: pick bank/PSP with LankaQR and merchant acquiring and clear MDRs. (en.wikipedia.org)
   • Government payments: ensure the bank/app supports GOVPAY (many major banks integrated at launch). (en.wikipedia.org)
2. Test the app: try installation, biometric login, statement export, scheduled payments, and customer support responsiveness.
3. Check fees & limits: ATM, interbank transfer, merchant MDRs, and daily transfer caps. Compare on the bank website or app fee schedule. (en.wikipedia.org)
4. Verify onboarding: can you open an account fully online or need branch/KYC visit?
5. Security: look for 2FA/biometrics, app update cadence, privacy policy and Central Bank compliance.

If you want, I can:

• Compare 3 specific bank apps side‑by‑side (features, fees and onboarding) — tell me which banks you care about (e.g., HNB vs ComBank vs Sampath).
• Or produce a short checklist you can use in‑person or when testing each app.

Which option would you like?