Fast-tracking Digital National ID process
View(s):The Sri Lankan government is accelerating the much-delayed move to a digital National Identity Card (e-NIC) on a full-fledged basis in the next 18 months, a top official confirmed.
Even though it has been under development for more than a decade, the project has been delayed several times owing to issues of data privacy, security concerns, and procedural delays.
The Department of Registration of Persons (DRP) has reported that the implementation of e-NICs will be initiated in mid-next year.
The cards that are needed have been procured from a Finnish firm with an initial order for some 2.3 million cards.
The electronic IDs will include biometric features such as fingerprint, iris, and face recognition details, for more security and efficiency in identification confirmation.
India has provided a grant of INR 450 million to the project, which will concentrate on citizens’ private information as per international standards promoted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
A Joint Project Monitoring Committee (JPMC) with Indian and Sri Lankan representation has been established for monitoring implementation.
Although the idea of an electronic NIC has been on the table since 2012, the project only made incremental implementation in 2017 when the DRP launched a pilot programme for new applicants and NIC renewal.
Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy, Dr. Hans Wijesuriya, reassured that all biometric data collection and storage will be handled exclusively by Sri Lankan authorities.
He emphasised that no foreign entities would have access to citizens’ data, and the Indian grant would be used solely for setting up necessary hardware and customising open-source software.
When the system is in operation, total control will be in the hands of the Sri Lankan government.
Confronting security fears for data, Dr. Wijesuriya disclosed that new legislations are under preparation for safeguarding personal information, promoting cyber security, and preventing unauthorised use.
He further noted that Sri Lankans were already providing biometric information for passports and visas, so this would be a routine extension of existing systems.
To facilitate the collection of data, the government is setting up 500–600 biometric registration points across the nation, and it is to expand to about 2,000 points in later stages.
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