Indian tourists planning a trip to Sri Lanka can now enjoy significant savings on their local transportation. PickMe, Sri Lanka's leading ride-hailing service, has announced an exclusive offer providing a flat 20% discount on eligible rides for Indian travelers who pay using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
This initiative, unveiled by NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the global arm of India's National Payments Corporation (NPCI), aims to enhance convenience for visitors while promoting the wider adoption of digital payment solutions across the island nation.
Exclusive Savings for Indian Travelers
Under the new offer, Indian travelers can receive a 20% discount on every PickMe ride, with the discount capped at LKR 750 per transaction. This makes navigating Sri Lanka's cities and tourist attractions more affordable and straightforward. The move is particularly significant given that India remains Sri Lanka's largest source market for tourism, with over 531,000 Indian visitors recorded in 2025.
PickMe's extensive network covers major cities, popular tourist destinations, and offers airport transfer services, serving more than 1.9 million unique users throughout Sri Lanka. The integration of UPI payments directly addresses one of the most common practical needs for tourists: seamless local payment methods.
How to Avail the UPI Discount
To benefit from the discount, Indian tourists must use a UPI-enabled application for payment. Before travel, users need to activate the UPI Global or UPI International service for their bank account through their respective UPI app. Once activated, payments can be made securely in real-time directly from Indian bank accounts at any supported merchant in Sri Lanka, including those accepting LankaQR.
- Activate UPI Global/International service via your bank's UPI app.
- Select UPI as the payment option on the PickMe app.
- Enjoy an instant 20% discount, up to LKR 750, on eligible rides.
Boosting Digital Connectivity and Tourism
The expansion of UPI payment options, especially for local mobility services, is a strategic step to reduce Indian tourists' reliance on cash and and currency exchange. This enhances the overall travel experience, making it more fluid and secure.
Beyond ride-hailing, UPI is widely accepted across various locations in Sri Lanka, including significant pilgrimage sites, popular tourist attractions, shopping centers, cafes, and restaurants. This growing digital connectivity between India and Sri Lanka underscores a broader effort to foster economic and cultural ties through modern payment infrastructure.
The announcement, made on August 11, 2026, reinforces the commitment of both nations to facilitate easier travel and stronger digital integration for the benefit of tourists and local businesses alike.