Frequently asked questions
Answers to your questions.
The questions chairpersons, secretaries and officers ask most. If yours isn't here, get in touch.
Have a question that isn't here?
We're ready to show how OnlineSabha fits your council's work — at your office or online.
General
What is OnlineSabha?
A complete digital platform that connects a Pradeshiya Sabha's citizen services, office work, revenue collection, accounting and council governance in one web system — a citizen portal for the public and a management portal for officers.
What if our council's services and fees differ from other councils?
No problem. All 47 services come pre-configured, but you switch on only the ones you offer and set your own fee rules, application forms and officer instructions — without code.
Which languages does it support?
Sinhala, English and Tamil. Users switch language with one click.
How much does it cost?
Pricing depends on the size of your council and the modules you enable. Contact us for a proposal that fits your council.
For citizens
What about citizens without internet or a smartphone?
At the counter, officers find a person by NIC and collect every tax and fee, and can enter facility bookings on their behalf. Every service also has a printable application form.
Can citizens pay online?
The payment gateway integration is built in. Once the council's merchant account is activated and tested, online card payments can be offered. Counter payments work from day one.
How can someone check that a licence or certificate is genuine?
Documents issued by OnlineSabha carry a QR code. Scanning it lets anyone confirm the document was issued by the council.
Data & security
Is our data secure?
Each council's data is kept separate. The system runs on secure cloud infrastructure with role-based access and a complete audit trail.
Can we see who did what?
Yes. Every change in the system is kept in the audit trail with who, when and what.
Can we produce the reports auditors ask for?
The trial balance, journals, receipts issued in sequence, arrears reports, voucher approval history and the annual financial statements (Annex 02–05) are available instantly.
Implementation
Do we have to retype our existing assessment register?
No. Your existing property register can be bulk-imported from a CSV (Excel) file. We also help load businesses, licences and opening account balances.
Can officers with little computer experience use it?
Yes. Every screen is in plain Sinhala (or English / Tamil) with clear steps. Each service has officer instructions, and we provide hands-on, role-based training.
Do we need to buy servers or new computers?
No. OnlineSabha runs in the cloud, so a browser on your existing computers or phones is enough.
How long does it take to get started?
It depends on your council's size, the modules you enable and how ready your data is. The timeline is agreed with you after the live demo.