Colombo
India has released the first instalment of Rs 45 crore for the ‘Unique Digital Identity Project’, an Aadhaar-like scheme in Sri Lanka. This is an important scheme towards the digitization of Sri Lanka, which is being funded by the Government of India. This has also been confirmed by the Sri Lankan President’s Office.
Sagala Rattananayaka, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff, Sri Lankan Technical Minister Kanaka Herath, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Bagale and First Secretary to the Indian High Commissioner Eldose Mathew and others in a key meeting at the Sri Lankan President’s Office Officers joined in. There was a lot of discussion on the project in this meeting.
During this, the Indian High Commissioner handed over a check of Rs 45 crore to Kanak Herath as the first instalment. This is 15 per cent of the total amount. At present Rs 45 crore has been given as advance payment. At the same time, President’s advisor Ratnanayaka said that his government would try to complete the project within the stipulated time. The Indian High Commissioner also informed about this by tweeting on the social media platform X.
Under this project, the Sri Lankan government will collect biographical and biometric information about its citizens. These will include facial, iris and fingerprint data. Once collected, this information will be stored in a centralized system as per the rules laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. This scheme is similar to the Aadhaar scheme in India, with the help which it has helped in bringing the digital revolution to India.
The digital identity project in Sri Lanka will make it easier for people to access government services and reduce poverty. Along with this, the Sri Lankan government will be able to implement public welfare schemes in a better way. Economic inclusion will increase in Sri Lanka and people will have easier access to banking and other services.
There was an agreement between India and Sri Lanka regarding this project in March 2022. Under the agreement, an Indo-Sri Lanka Joint Project Monitoring Committee will be constituted for this project. The software development for this project is also being done by the Government of India.
