Sri Lanka to Launch Digital National ID Cards This Month, with Indian Tech Support

Sri Lanka is set to implement digital National Identity Cards (NICs) this month, marking a significant transition in the country’s identification system. The initiative, estimated to cost Rs. 20 billion, aims to address delays in the current NIC issuance process by converting all new NICs to a digital format. This development follows the country’s earlier preparations for a biometric national ID system, which began with preliminary discussions last year.

Half of the project’s funding will come through assistance from India, whose expertise stems from its successful implementation of the Aadhaar digital identity system, which has enrolled over 1.3 billion citizens. An Indian company will provide technical setup assistance for the digital identity system, though the Government of Sri Lanka will maintain sole access to citizens’ personal information.

As the Sri Lanka Mirror reports, the Movement for the People’s Struggle has expressed reservations about the integration of biometric details into electronic identity cards. Executive Member Wasantha Mudalige questioned the initiative’s purpose, stating, “An explanation should be issued as to why these details are obtained. One might think that this is due to technology, safety, or convenience-related reasons. But, that is not the case.” These concerns echo similar privacy debates in other countries implementing digital ID systems, including recent discussions in Ethiopia’s Fayda system implementation.

Deputy Minister of the Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne addressed data privacy concerns “There’s no need for concern about the digital identity system,” he said. “The Indian company is only assisting with the technical setup and will not have access to any personal data. The government will be the sole entity with access to the information.”

The decision to use an Indian company’s services for the digital NIC system was made by a previous administration. The current NIC system, introduced in 1972, serves as the primary identification document for Sri Lankan citizens aged 15 and above, and is required for accessing government services, banking, voting, and various other official purposes. The digital transition represents Sri Lanka’s most significant identification system upgrade in over 50 years, positioning the country alongside other Asian nations modernizing their identity infrastructure.

Sources: Sri Lanka Mirror

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January 14, 2025 – by Ali Nassar-Smith