How Will India's INR 450 Million Advance Shape Sri Lanka's Digital Identity Project?

In a significant stride towards digitalization, India has extended a noteworthy contribution of INR 450 million to Sri Lanka, marking a crucial advancement in the island nation's unique digital identity project.

The funds were transferred during a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat, where key stakeholders, including the Presidential Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff, Sagala Ratnayaka, State Minister of Technology, Kanaka Herath, Indian High Commissioner, Gopal Bagley, and First Secretary of the Indian High Commission, Eldos Mathew, engaged in extensive discussions on the project's execution.

Highlighting the Indian government's dedication to the initiative, the Indian High Commissioner handed over the substantial sum of INR 450 million to State Minister Kanaka Herath as an advance payment. This amount constitutes 15% of the total funds required for the successful implementation of the project, underscoring India's steadfast support for the endeavor.

Timeline Adherence and Economic Significance

During the meeting, Ratnayaka emphasized the paramount importance of adhering to a well-defined timeline to ensure the seamless execution of the project. Recognizing the profound significance of the project in Sri Lanka's economic recovery process, Ratnayaka expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Indian government for its unwavering assistance.

The Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity Project (SL-UDI) aims to collect both biographic and biometric information, including facial, iris, and fingerprint data. This data will be stored in a centralized system to issue identification cards in accordance with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

Enhanced Service Delivery & Financial Inclusion

The successful implementation of the project is expected to lead to a more effective and efficient delivery of government services, contributing to poverty reduction and welfare programs. Additionally, it aims to promote financial inclusion by providing better access to banking and other essential products and services.

The project's inception dates back to March 2022, marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sri Lanka and India. To ensure effective monitoring and coordination, an Indo-Sri Lanka Joint Project Monitoring Committee (JPMC) was established for the SL-UDI. The Government of India oversees the software development for the project, further solidifying the collaborative efforts between the two nations.