NIC from age 15
View(s):The Department of Registration of Persons will commence issuing National Identity Cards (NIC) from the age of 15 years, instead of 16, from this year, a senior official said.
“The move will help GCE (O/L) candidates to obtain their NICs one year ahead, and avoid last minute delays, said Commissioner General of Registration of Persons, Viyani Gunatillake.
He said, currently, as NICs are issued at age of 16, O/L candidates have to apply for their NICs only when they reach age 16. “As a result, some of them are not in a position to obtain their NICs, as they have not reached age 16, when they sit the exam,” he added.
He said, usually, about 325,000 students sit the exam, and issuing NICs from age 15 would reduce the pressure on the students as well as the Department.
He said they will discuss the issue with the Ministry of Education and send the forms to the schools soon. – DW