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State bodies have failed to utilise digital infrastructure: Namal Rajapakse

26 Oct 2021

 
  • Namal says familiarisation fundamental to establishing digital economy
  • Says digital ID can be expected next year
  By Shenal Fernando  During a Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) event held yesterday (25), Minister of Youth and Sports and State Minister of Digital Technology and Enterprise Development Namal Rajapaksa lamented the failure of state and local government institutions to effectively utilise the digital infrastructure that has been provided.  Thus, before Sri Lanka adopts a digital national ID, digital currencies, or another modern payment method, the Sri Lanka public must become familiar with this technology, and the required environment for a cashless economy must be established, Rajapaksa added.  He noted: “A few weeks ago, we, together with Ajith Nivaad Cabraal, after notifying the President, submitted a cabinet paper for the establishment of a committee to recommend a policy framework for digitalisation and adoption of modern transaction methods, and a recommendation of the said committee was to ensure the proliferation of Lanka QR among the general public for the people to understand the benefits and advantages of such a cashless transaction method and to familiarise the general public in the use of such technology.” He claimed that all sections of the general public must be familiarised with the use of this technology for cashless transactions in their day-to-day activities before seeking to introduce further digitisation initiatives. Commenting on the current status of digitalisation in the country, Rajapaksa pointed out that most organisations utilise digital signatures and that currently, birth, marriage, and death certificates can be obtained online. Furthermore, discussions are currently ongoing with the Inspector General of the Sri Lanka Police to provide for the use of LankaQR for the payment of traffic fines. He further stated that Sri Lanka will be introducing a digital national ID by next year, which shall incorporate all personal details of the individual, including biometric data, which shall be inclusive of fingerprints, a picture of the iris, and a photograph of the individual.


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