Sri Lanka's Digital ID Project Ready for Launch, Says Indian High Commissioner

18-Jul-2026

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India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, has announced that Sri Lanka's unique Digital Identity Card project, implemented with financial assistance from India, is now ready for launch, with only a few procedural formalities remaining before the official announcement.

He made the remarks while addressing the inauguration of the DISHA Mentorship Programme 2026, organised in Colombo by the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) of India.

The High Commissioner said a verified and reliable digital identity for every citizen would transform Sri Lanka's governance framework and promote greater social inclusion.

He noted that the initiative would lay the foundation for the country's innovation-driven economy by enabling financial technology services, e-commerce and digital public services.

Jha congratulated Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne and the President's Senior Adviser on the Digital Economy, Dr Hans Wijayasuriya, for their dedication to the project.

Highlighting the growing importance of artificial intelligence, he said India and Sri Lanka must deepen cooperation in the sector, as AI is rapidly transforming businesses and enabling even small teams to compete with large organisations.

He observed that no country or institution can advance independently in the fast-evolving AI landscape and stressed the importance of continuous dialogue, knowledge-sharing and collaborative learning.

The High Commissioner said both India and Sri Lanka possess considerable talent in artificial intelligence and that initiatives such as the DISHA programme would provide a valuable platform for innovators from both countries to work together.

He also noted that cooperation between NASSCOM and Sri Lanka continues to strengthen. Referring to the visit by a NASSCOM delegation led by Chief Executive Officer Rajesh Nambiar following last December's cyclone despite prevailing uncertainties, Jha said the visit reflected India's enduring commitment to supporting Sri Lanka.