Advanced technology has also played a key role in the project’s rollout
Sri Lanka’s ambitious Electronic National Identity Card (e-NIC) project is now undergoing user and security testing to assess the robustness of the system, according to M.S.P. Suriyapperuma, Director General of the Department of Registration of Persons. Speaking in Colombo, Suriyapperuma said, “Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) is conducting this testing.” The goal of this exercise is to evaluate the strength of the software and other technical aspects of the e-NIC system.
As part of this national digital identity initiative, the Department has procured 700,000 polycarbonate cards from global technology firm Thales. These smart ID cards feature biometric identifiers such as fingerprints, iris scans, and facial recognition to enhance identity verification and improve security standards across public services.
The government aims to integrate the e-NIC with the broader Sri Lanka Unique Digital ID project. This will involve assigning a unique identification number to each citizen, consolidating various forms of identification under a single system, and capturing key data including birth certificates and tax identification numbers. “The plan is to integrate the Sri Lanka Unique Digital ID project with the e-NIC,” Suriyapperuma said.
To make national identification services more accessible, the Department of Registration of Persons has decentralised its operations by establishing 335 ID card units in Divisional Secretariats across the country. A dedicated headquarters in Battaramulla now oversees these decentralised services, enhancing efficiency and public reach.
Advanced technology has also played a key role in the project’s rollout. VPN connectivity links regional and provincial offices to the central system, and more than 2,300 studios have been authorised to submit personal photographs electronically. Since 27 October 2017, Sri Lanka has been issuing polycarbonate smart ID cards with laser-printed photos in Sinhala, Tamil, and English — a move designed to increase durability and usability. Suriyapperuma added, “The Galle provincial office also offers one-day service facilities to the public. These efforts aim to streamline the process of obtaining National ID cards.”
To further public understanding of the initiative, an awareness programme was recently held at the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), focusing on the e-NIC’s process and operational framework.
Looking ahead, the Registrar General’s Department is expected to complete the e-population registry for Colombo this month. The registry will enable more accurate recording of life events such as births and deaths, improve information sharing among government institutions, and strengthen the overall reliability of national data systems.
The e-NIC project is seen as a critical step towards building a secure, unified digital identity infrastructure for Sri Lanka — one that supports better governance, service delivery, and citizen empowerment in an increasingly digital world.
