Sampath Bank Powers Real-Time Online Payments to Inland Revenue Department with LankaPay

Sampath Bank PLC joined hands with LankaClear to become one of the first banks in the country to facilitate real-time online payments to the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

Sampath Bank customers will now be able to make payments to the Inland Revenue Department, 24 x 7 x 365, directly from their savings or current accounts using the Sampath Vishwa internet banking portal or the Sampath Vishwa app. Powered by LankaClear’s LankaPay Online Payment Platform, the payments will be credited to the Inland Revenue Department’s bank account almost instantaneously, unlike cheque deposits and customers will receive a digital proof of payment as soon as they complete the transaction. These payment receipts can be viewed on Sampath Vishwa and downloaded as and when needed.

Moving away from the traditional, cumbersome process of having to draw cheques, visit the IRD, and wait in queues, customers can make these payments confidentially from the safety and convenience of their homes and offices on their own, without having to step out during the current global pandemic.

This also eliminates the possibility of sensitive tax related information being accessed by others, thereby protecting the customer’s privacy.

“We are witnessing a steady rise in the adoption of digital payments across Sri Lanka, with individuals and businesses choosing to move more of their transactions online. As a Bank that remains committed to leveraging the power of technology to deliver greater value to the nation, we are actively working with all stakeholders to drive this forward. In line with this, we are delighted to join hands with Lanka Clear and the Inland Revenue Department to simplify the process of paying taxes. We invite our customers to avail themselves of the convenience and security of making real-time online tax payments through their trusted online banking portal, Sampath Vishwa,” said Tharaka Ranwala, Senior DGM – Operations / Group Chief Marketing Officer, Sampath Bank PLC.

Furthermore, Sampath Bank is offering one of the highest payment limits amongst the partnering banks for these transactions and is actively working on enhancing these limits in the near future.

Sampath Bank’s efforts to take tax payments online together with LankaClear bodes well for the Inland Revenue Department and the Government too. It allows them to account for and access the taxes paid faster without waiting for cheques to realise. The move also makes the Inland Revenue Department more accessible to taxpayers around the island. Sampath Bank offers similar real-time, online payment services to the Sri Lanka Customs and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, enabling customers to make a wide range of payments to these institutes via Sampath Vishwa.

Sampath Bank is a 100% local bank that has deeply rooted itself in the lives of the people of Sri Lanka. Established in 1987, the bank has become a state-of-the-art financial institution that continues to be a market leader today thanks to its constant innovation and customer focused approach to business. It has introduced many firsts to the Sri Lankan banking sector including introducing ATMs to Sri Lanka, extended banking hours and slip-less banking to name a few. The Bank continues to steadily transform itself into a technology-driven financial services provider while upholding our traditions and values.