Online payment facility introduced for UDA clients

Colombo, Feb. 2 (Daily Mirror) - As part of the government’s national drive to digitise public services and strengthen the digital economy, an online payment facility for Urban Development Authority (UDA) clients was officially launched yesterday (February 2) at the Peliyagoda Manning Public Market Complex.

The event was held under the patronage of Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Ratnayake and marks a significant step towards introducing secure, transparent and efficient digital payment systems within key state institutions.

Through the UDA’s online platform at https://fmis.uda.lk/login, more than 1,400 businesses currently operating at the Peliyagoda Manning Market will now be able to make their payments conveniently via the government’s GovPay system, eliminating the need for physical transactions and long delays.

In addition, the Minister announced that under the second phase of the project, over 13,500 residents living in Urban Development Authority-managed apartment complexes will be brought under the same digital platform. This will allow residents to make payments for services such as water, electricity and assessment taxes online.

Addressing the gathering as chief guest, Minister Ratnayake highlighted the importance of time management and technology in modern governance and business operations.

“Time management is essential for the successful operation of any business or institution. Time is money. Therefore, moving forward with technology to ensure a safe, easy and delay-free payment process is the need of the hour,” he said.

He noted that digitalisation is one of the key national programmes initiated by the President and the government, adding that the new system provides much-needed convenience to the business community at the highly active Manning Market by enabling payments anytime and anywhere.

The Minister also called on traders, trade union leaders and the wider business community to actively support the initiative to ensure its success, emphasising that trust-based transactions supported by technology are vital for economic growth.