May 15, Colombo (LNW): In a significant move towards the digitisation of public services, Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has officially adopted the ‘GovPay’ digital payment platform, enabling citizens to make online payments for a variety of court-related services that were previously reliant on cash transactions.
The development forms part of the broader national strategy to modernise state services under the reform-driven agenda of the National People’s Power (NPP) government.
The launch of this latest phase in the GovPay programme was marked by a formal ceremony held at the Supreme Court Complex in Colombo, attended by Chief Justice Murdu Fernando, along with key representatives from the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) and LankaPay, the national payment network.
By integrating the Supreme Court into this centralised digital payment system, the public now has access to a seamless online method for paying fees related to case filings, obtaining certified copies of court documents, filing Commercial High Court appeals, lodging complaints, and settling affidavit-related charges. Compensation payments to relevant parties can also now be transacted through the same portal.
This initiative is part of a larger campaign to bring greater efficiency, transparency, and convenience to state-run services. The GovPay platform, accessible at www.govpay.lk, currently includes 16 key government institutions, with more expected to join in the near future.
The digital service is designed to eliminate the need for in-person visits to payment counters, reduce administrative delays, and prevent potential corruption by limiting cash handling.
The ICTA, which is spearheading the country’s digital governance transformation, has described the integration of judicial services into GovPay as a milestone in the government’s roadmap for e-governance.
The move not only eases the burden on litigants and lawyers but also reflects a broader institutional shift within Sri Lanka’s justice system to adapt to global technological standards.
According to legal experts, the digitisation of court payments is particularly timely, as the judiciary continues to face significant caseloads and operational pressures. Modernising payment systems is expected to expedite procedural workflows, reduce manual documentation errors, and improve public access to justice.
The Chief Justice, speaking at the event, highlighted the symbolic and practical significance of the transition. “This is not just a technological upgrade. It represents a fundamental shift in how we think about judicial accessibility and service delivery in the modern age,” she remarked.
Officials from LankaPay reiterated their commitment to ensuring the reliability and security of online transactions processed through GovPay. The platform is equipped with standard digital safeguards and works in partnership with leading financial institutions in Sri Lanka to offer trusted, real-time transaction capabilities.
