India has given Sri Lanka an advance amount of ₹450 million for its identity project. This is a step in Sri Lanka’s efforts to digitize, with support from grant assistance. The allocation was made on August 4th by the government to help fund Sri Lanka’s digital identity initiative. This project is crucial for Sri Lanka’s journey toward transformation. It is part of their broader efforts to improve their digital infrastructure and drive growth across different sectors.
During a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat, key stakeholders discussed the execution of the project in detail. These stakeholders included Sagala Ratnayaka, the Presidential Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff; Kanaka Herath, State Minister of Technology; Gopal Bagley, the Indian High Commissioner; and Eldos Mathew, First Secretary of the Indian High Commission. The Indian High Commissioner contributed ₹450 million as an advance payment towards implementation, which amounts to 15% of the total funds required for the project.
The digital identity project aims to collect biometric information, including facial, iris, and fingerprint data. This data will be stored in a system to issue identification cards that align with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. The main objective of this initiative is to improve access to government services, poverty reduction programs, welfare initiatives, and financial inclusion by enhancing banking and other services.