Sri Lanka vs China · Real-time payment systems compared
| Capability | CEFTS | IBPS |
|---|---|---|
| QR Code Payments | ✓ | — |
| Wallet Support | — | — |
| 24/7 Availability | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cross-Border | — | — |
| ISO 20022 | ✓ | — |
| Request to Pay | — | — |
| Open API | ◐ | — |
| Alias/Proxy | ✓ | — |
The Common Electronic Fund Transfer Switch is Sri Lanka's fast-payments backbone, launched in 2015 by LankaPay under Central Bank of Sri Lanka guidance as part of the Common Card and Payment Switch (CCAPS). CEFTS clears 24/7 real-time interbank credit transfers up to LKR 5 million, initiated through internet/mobile banking, ATMs, kiosks or over-the-counter. LANKAQR (QR-code standard), JustPay (in-app payments) and LPOPP (online payment platform, including GovPay) all ride on CEFTS. CEFTS now carries roughly two-thirds of Sri Lanka's interbank retail transactions.
China's Internet Banking Payment System processes 24/7 interbank transfers across the country's massive banking network, operated by the China National Clearing Center (CNCC) under the People's Bank of China. IBPS handles both small-value real-time payments and bulk transfers, complementing the HVPS (high-value) and BEPS (bulk) systems. With China's 1.4B population and rapidly digitising economy, IBPS is one of the highest-volume payment systems globally, supporting online banking, mobile payments, and cross-bank settlement.