Event Ticketing in Sri Lanka: A Complete Guide

Ticketing can make or break your event's success. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about selling tickets in Sri Lanka.

Online vs Offline Ticketing

Online Ticketing Platforms

tickets.lk

The Market Leader

Largest market share in Sri Lanka
Mobile-friendly checkout
Multiple payment options
Commission: 8-12% + LKR 50 per ticket
Pros: High traffic, trusted brand, established audience
Cons: Higher fees, less customization

Eventbrite

International Platform

Global reach for international tourists
Professional event management tools
Commission: 3.5% + payment processing fees
Pros: International credibility, good for expat events
Cons: Less local market penetration

DIY Solutions (Your Own Website)

Full Control Option

Integrate payment gateway directly
Keep more revenue (only payment processing fees ~3%)
Pros: Lower costs, full data ownership, customization
Cons: Requires tech setup, need to drive your own traffic, customer trust issues

Offline Ticketing

Physical Outlets

Still relevant for:

Older demographics (50+)
Areas with limited internet
Last-minute walk-up sales
Building local partnerships

Popular Outlet Partners:

Bookstores (Sarasavi, Barefoot)
Hotels and tourism counters
Venue box offices
Partner retail locations

Commission: 5-10% typically

Venue Door Sales

Day-of-Event Sales

Capture last-minute attendees
10-20% higher pricing recommended
Cash + card payment options needed
Security concerns with large cash amounts

Pricing Strategies That Work in Sri Lanka

Tiered Pricing

Early Bird (6-8 weeks before)

20-30% discount
Limited quantity (first 100-200 tickets)
Creates urgency and buzz
Example: LKR 1,400 (regular LKR 2,000)

Regular Pricing (2-6 weeks before)

Standard pricing
Majority of sales happen here
Example: LKR 2,000

Last Chance (Final week)

10-20% price increase
FOMO marketing
Example: LKR 2,400

Door Sales (Day of event)

25-30% higher than regular
Cash flow on event day
Example: LKR 2,500

Category-Based Pricing

VIP/Premium Tickets

2-3x regular pricing
Added benefits:
- Priority seating
- Meet & greet opportunities
- Complimentary food/beverages
- Exclusive merchandise
- Separate entrance/parking

Regular/General Admission

Standard access
Most popular tier
Price for profitability

Student/Senior Discounts

20-30% off regular price
Requires ID verification
Builds goodwill and attendance

Group Discounts

5+ people: 10% off
10+ people: 15-20% off
Encourages group bookings
Higher overall revenue despite discount

Pricing Psychology

LKR 1,990 vs LKR 2,000

Charm pricing works in Sri Lanka too
Perceived as "under 2,000"

Package Deals

Couple tickets: Small discount
Family packs: Better perceived value
Season passes: Loyalty building

Dynamic Pricing

Adjust prices based on demand
Concerts sell faster? Raise prices
Slow sales? Flash sales and promotions

Payment Gateway Options

Local Payment Gateways

iPay

Most Popular

Credit/Debit cards (Visa, Mastercard)
Online banking integration
Mobile banking (mCash, eZ Cash)
Transaction fee: 2.5-3.5%
Setup: Merchant account required

PayHere

Fast Growing

All major Sri Lankan banks
International cards accepted
Installment plans available
Transaction fee: 2.9% + LKR 5
Quick onboarding (3-5 days)

HNB PayWiz

Bank-Backed

Trusted brand (HNB)
Lower fees for HNB account holders
Good for corporate events
Transaction fee: 2.5-3%

International Payment Options

PayPal

Essential for international attendees
Higher fees (4.5% + currency conversion)
Trust factor for foreigners
Use for premium/international events

Stripe

Clean interface
Developer-friendly
Not officially in Sri Lanka (requires workaround)
2.9% + $0.30 per transaction

Mobile Payment Solutions

mCash, eZ Cash, FriMi

Growing rapidly
Lower transaction fees
Mobile-first demographics
Essential for youth events

Preventing Fraud and Fake Tickets

Common Fraud Issues in Sri Lanka

Duplicate Tickets

Screenshots shared in WhatsApp groups
Multiple people showing same ticket

Counterfeit Physical Tickets

Photocopies or fake prints
Especially common with high-demand events

Stolen Credit Cards

Fraudulent online purchases
Chargebacks hurt your revenue

Prevention Strategies

QR Code Ticketing

✅ Unique QR code per ticket
✅ Real-time scanning validation
✅ Shows name + ticket number
✅ Can't be duplicated
✅ This is the gold standard

Ticket Verification Systems

Custom ticketing app or web portal
Entrance staff scan with smartphones/tablets
Instant validation (green/red)
Tracks entry (prevents re-entry fraud)

Physical Security Features

For printed tickets:

Holograms or watermarks
Perforated edges
Serial numbers
Hard-to-replicate paper stock

ID Verification

Match name on ticket to ID
Common for VIP/premium tickets
Reduces resale fraud
Can slow down entry

Will-Call / Name List

Ticket purchaser must pick up at venue
ID required
Most secure, but inconvenient
Use for high-value tickets only

Refund Policies and Legal Requirements

Sri Lankan Consumer Protection

Legal Requirements:

Clearly state refund policy before purchase
Reasonable cancellation terms
Transparent about fees

Recommended Refund Policies

Strict (No Refunds)

For:

Low-cost events (under LKR 1,000)
Last-minute bookings
Resale-able events

Language: "All sales final. No refunds or exchanges. Event rain or shine."

Flexible (Partial Refunds)

For:

Mid-to-high cost events
Advance bookings
Building customer trust

Example Policy:

30+ days before: 80% refund
15-29 days before: 50% refund
7-14 days before: 25% refund
Under 7 days: No refund

Transfer Option (Smart Middle Ground)

Allow ticket transfers to another person
Small admin fee (LKR 200-500)
Buyer not loses money, you keep sale
Update name in system

Event Cancellation

Your Obligations:

Full refunds if YOU cancel
Weather cancellations: Offer refund or reschedule
Processing time: 7-14 business days
Communication critical

Mobile Ticketing Trends

Digital Wallet Integration

Apple Wallet / Google Pay tickets
No need for apps
Can't be deleted accidentally
Real-time updates possible

SMS Tickets

No smartphone required
Code sent via SMS
Scanned at entrance
Good for older demographics

WhatsApp-Based Ticketing

Send ticket image via WhatsApp
Very familiar to Sri Lankan users
QR code embedded in image
Easy sharing (watch out for fraud!)

Event Apps

Custom branded apps
Schedules, maps, notifications
Networking features
High development cost (LKR 500K-2M+)

Ticketing Platform Comparison

Feature	tickets.lk	Eventbrite	DIY Website
Commission	8-12%	3.5% + fees	0% (only payment fees)
Setup Time	Immediate	1-2 days	1-2 weeks (dev required)
Audience	100,000s in Sri Lanka	International	Your traffic only
Trust Factor	Very High	High	Low (must build)
Customization	Low	Medium	Full
Reporting	Good	Excellent	Custom
Customer Support	Local, Sinhala/English	English only	You provide

Best Practices for Ticket Sales

1. Sell Tickets Early

Open sales 6-8 weeks before
Early bird pricing drives initial momentum
Social proof builds ("200 sold already!")

2. Multiple Channels

Don't rely on one platform
Online + offline
Direct sales + partners
Maximize reach

3. Communicate Clearly

What's included vs not included
Refund/exchange policy
Venue location and parking
Age restrictions
Dress code (if any)

4. Send Confirmations Immediately

Email with PDF ticket
SMS with code
Payment receipt
Reduce customer service queries

5. Reminders

1 week before: Event details reminder
1 day before: Final reminder with timing
Reduce no-shows

6. Track Your Data

Which channels sell best?
What price points work?
When do people buy? (weekdays vs weekends)
Use data for next event

Ticketing Timeline

8-12 Weeks Before

Set pricing strategy
Choose ticketing platform
Set up payment gateway
Design ticket artwork

6-8 Weeks Before

Launch early bird sales
Announce on social media
Submit to event listing sites

4-6 Weeks Before

Transition to regular pricing
Ramp up marketing
Monitor sales pace

2-4 Weeks Before

Push sales with urgency messaging
"50% sold", "limited tickets"
Email campaigns

Final Week

Last chance pricing (increase)
Daily reminders
Finalize entry logistics

Event Day

Door sales (if offering)
Entry scanning system ready
Customer service team briefed

Common Ticketing Mistakes

❌ Only one payment option - Offer multiple payment methods
❌ Vague refund policy - Be clear and upfront
❌ No fraud prevention - QR codes are essential
❌ Complicated checkout - Mobile-friendly, fast process
❌ No confirmation sent - Automate ticket delivery
❌ Ignoring offline audiences - Some demographics don't use online
❌ Not tracking sales data - You'll repeat mistakes

Conclusion: Ticketing Checklist

✅ Choose ticketing platform (online + offline options)
✅ Set tiered pricing strategy (early bird, regular, premium)
✅ Integrate multiple payment gateways
✅ Implement QR code fraud prevention
✅ Write clear refund/exchange policy
✅ Design mobile-friendly ticket artwork
✅ Set up automated confirmations
✅ Plan for door sales (pricing + logistics)
✅ Track all sales data for insights
✅ Test the full purchase flow before launch

Ready to sell tickets? List your event on adsqr.lk and reach thousands of potential buyers across Sri Lanka!