Sri Lankan Government Gears Up for Biometric National ID Project

The staff of the Sri Lankan High Commission in Singapore were recently updated on a forthcoming national data system to be introduced by Sri Lanka’s Department of Registration of Persons. The awareness session was held last week at the High Commission premises, and conducted by the Commissioner-General of the Department, Pradeep Saputhanthri, who was on an official visit to Singapore.

The new system will use biometric data such as fingerprints, facial recognition, and retina scans to assign a unique ID number to individuals. This system aims to replace traditional data collection methods, thereby improving the accuracy, efficiency, and effectiveness of service delivery across various government sectors, including those managed by Diplomatic Missions.

Commissioner-General Saputhanthri highlighted the legal foundation for the new system under Act No. 32 of 1968, which mandates the establishment of a national data system to authenticate identities and streamline government services. The introduction of biometric data is expected to enhance coordination between government institutions, providing greater convenience to the public and supporting the growth of Sri Lanka’s digital economy, and is seen as particularly significant for trade, commerce, and services related to imports and exports.

High Commissioner Senarath Dissanayake, who directed the organization of the event, expressed his gratitude to the Commissioner-General for his insights and emphasized the potential benefits of the new system for improving the services offered by Diplomatic Missions. The session also provided an opportunity for the staff to seek clarifications on the new procedures, including document attestation by the Consular Section.

Sri Lanka has been laying the groundwork for its forthcoming digital ID initiative for several years now. In 2021, it was announced that IriTech’s portable IriSentinel iris recognition scanner would be used in the country’s Unique Digital Identity pilot project.

With the adoption of a biometrics-based national digital ID, Sri Lanka looks to join a growing list of countries throughout the world with such programs. Recently, Uganda’s National Identification and Registration Authority announced that it is gearing up for a major national ID enrollment and renewal campaign set to begin in October 2024. That effort involves deploying 5,680 biometric kits equipped with iris scanners to register 17.2 million unregistered Ugandans and renew the IDs of 15.8 million citizens ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Source: Daily News

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August 23, 2024 – by Tony Bitzionis