The government has asked all Sri Lanka citizens to register themselves online with the Ministry of Defence.
The request is part of a government effort to further screen all persons residing in the country, said Lakshman Hulugalle, director general of the Media Centre for National Security. A website – www.citizens.lk – has been set up for the purpose.
Sri Lanka residents are required provide personal details, including name, ethnicity, home address, type of house (apartment/flat, annexe, shop) occupied, and the nearest police station. Details of temporary residents should also be declared.
“There is no time frame for registering, but if the response from the public is slow, the authorities may have to enforce registration through the law, perhaps even using emergency regulations,” Mr. Hulugalle said.
Those with no access to the internet can register at any government institution that has a special counter for registration purposes. Mobile units will be deployed in different areas on different days to facilitate the registration process.
One benefit of the online registration is that individuals can be traced speedily, Mr. Hulugalle said. | 
E-mail