ICTA implements speedy citizen service delivery system at MFA
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The new service being launched
Sri Lankans can now get their certificates from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) attested and certified within five to 15 minutes, by simply accessing one single counter at the ministry’s consular division under a new electronic system.
This came after the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) launched the electronic Document Attesting System (eDAS) at the ministry on Monday. The service was inaugurated by Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Harsha De Silva, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Esala Weerakoon, Secretary to the Ministry of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure, Wasantha Deshapriya, Chairperson of ICTA Ms. Chitranganie Mubarak and MD/CEO of ICTA Muhunthan Canagey also participated at this event.
A media release from the ICTA said that till the launch of this electronic system, the ministry followed a manual process of document attestation and certification and citizens had to spend two days to obtain this service.
The Consular Division which serves around 500 citizens to attest and certifying their documents on a daily basis, has to examine and verify more than 1200-1500 documents per day.
“However, as a result of the newly implemented technological infrastructure the issuing of certificates can now be done within 15 minutes. The state of the art infrastructure includes high speed scanners and biometric authentication for ensuring document safety, traceability, good governance and transparency. The centre has been implemented with the modern queue management system which enables citizens to book appointments using their mobile phones and provides notifications on their mobiles as well,” the release said.
Addressing the launch, Deputy Minister de Silva stated with the newly introduced digital technology, the ministry is ready to deliver an enhanced service to the public.