Expedite digital ID rollout to serve citizens better: Namal

Minister of Youth and Sport, State Minister of Digital Technology and Entrepreneur Development Namal Rajapaksa highlighted the need for expediting the National Unique Digital ID (UID) implementation and requested relevant officials to take necessary measures. 

Speaking at a Policy Dialogue on ‘National Transformation through Digital ID’ organised by the Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL), the new Minister in charge of Digital Technology emphasised that the need for a smart digital ID had been felt more than ever during the pandemic.

Delivering his keynote address, Rajapaksa said: “Whether it is to do systematics contract tracing, vaccination scheduling and even distributing Rs. 5,000 welfare payments, all could have been done in a more systematic manner with a unique digital ID and it would have allowed the Government to serve our people better.

“Though successive governments have made attempts to introduce a smart digital ID for more than two decades, we as a nation have unfortunately not been able to realise this objective. The new Government under the leadership of President Gotahaya Rajapaksa and the guidance of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is determined to introduce an all-purpose unique Digital ID for all citizens. I urge officials to expedite the implementation.”

CSSL President Damith Hettihewa welcomed the guests and participants at the 2nd edition of CSSL Policy Dialogue ‘National Transformation through Digital ID,’ which was held as a virtual meeting and a panel discussion.

Ministry of Technology Secretary Jayantha De Silva and ICTA Chairman Prof. Lalith Gamage are representing the digital sphere and Department of Registrations of Persons Commissioner General Viani Gunathillaka participated representing key Government officials. 

Modular Open Source Identity Platform (MOSIP) Foundation Chair Technology Committee Sanjay Jain and Dialog Axiata PLC Vice President Navin Peiris represented domain experts and the telecom industry respectively. The policy dialogue was moderated by the Daily Financial Times Editor in Chief Nisthar Cassim.