Pensions Dept. launches digital ID card for senior citizens with Sampath Bank

Monday, 13 October 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

In keeping with the Government’s ICT policy, the Department of Pensions has launched a digital identity card for pensioners in partnership with Sampath Bank, a pioneer in technological innovations and one of the key stakeholders in the banking industry that uses state-of-the-art digital technology in providing banking services to its customers.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa with the replica of the Digital Identity Card. Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs W. D. J. Seneviratne and Sampath Bank Senior Deputy General Manager Saman Herath are also present The official launch of the digital identity card which was organised by the Department of Pensions was held on 9 October at Pensioners’ Resort in Wedamulla, Kelaniya to mark the Pensioners’ Day. President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Chief Guest of the occasion, launched the country’s first-ever digital identity card for senior citizens who have made a lifetime and substantial contribution to the Sri Lankan economy. Sampath Bank Senior Deputy General Manager Saman Herath officially handed over a replica of the digital identity card to the President. Over 3,000 pensioners attended the event and over 600,000 pensioners in the country are expected to benefit from the digital identity card in their banking transactions. Sampath Bank is expecting to issue the digital identity card to the senior citizens in the near future who reside in diverse parts of the country through its extensive network of branches. Depending on the requirement, biometric details of pensioners also can be included in the card which will immensely help the pensioners, and the Department would also add WNOP details, medical history which can be used in emergencies such as obtaining medical treatments. As a measure to further streamline the pension payment and also to facilitate direct coordination with the Head Office of the Department of Pensions, Sampath Bank will provide the Department of Pensions with 25 computers. The computers will be distributed among Government Agents’ offices, facilitating direct coordination with the Head Office of the Department of Pensions in making pension payments. The official Letter of Confirmation was also handed over to the Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs W. D.J. Seneviratne at the event.