Mobile service to bring NICs to door steps

By Malik Gunatilleke

The Department for Registration of Persons (DRP) will conduct a mobile programme to issue National Identity Cards (NIC) in the Kandy District from November 6 to 11.

This move comes in accordance with the 2004 Elections (Special Provisions) Act No. 14, which states that every elector is required to produce a valid identity document before casting his/her vote.

This mobile service would come to the Kandy District on November 6 and will cover 21 Divisional Secretariats.

The Grama Niladharis (GNs) of the area have already been ordered to issue applications for NICs and applicants should submit their filled applications to the GNs to be forwarded to the mobile office.

Applicants who have problems with their documents are requested to bring their applications to the mobile offices for further help.

Applicants without valid birth certification are expected to lodge a complaint to the police who will also be present at each mobile office in order to carry out a more efficient programme.

Photographers, GNs and all other relevant officers will be present at the mobile offices so that applicants will not be inconvenienced. Applicants will need to pay Rs. 150 for the photographs required for the NIC.

The Commissioner of Registration of Persons, A.G. Dharmadasa said the NICs will take about a month to be prepared and that even NIC renewals will be available through the mobile office service.

He also said that this was an extra programme by the DRP and the public are still able to apply for the NICs the usual way.

“We have only made the application process less time consuming than before,” he said.

The Commissioner said that eight representatives from the DRP will be present at each mobile office to process the applications.

The Schedule for the mobile programme in Kandy is as follows:

1. 06.11.2006: Ududumbara, Karaliyadda, Panvila
2. 07.11.2006: Harispattuwa, Pujapitiya, Pathadumbara, Akurana
3. 08.06.2006: Gampola, Doluwa, Ganga Ihala Korale, Pasbage Korale
4. 09.11.2006: Galagedara, Hataraliyadda, Pathahewaheta, Delthota
5. 10.11.2006: Kundasale, Gangawata Korale, Yatinuwara, Udunuwara
6. 11.11.2006: Minipe, Hasalaka