Sri Lanka and India will jointly collaborate to expedite the implementation of the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identification (SLUDI) project to aid the country in its efforts to improve the delivery of state services to the people.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) is due to be signed next month, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said.
During President Anura Kumara Disanayake’s visit to India last week, he conveyed the government’s interest in exploring the establishment of the successful people-centric digitalisation programmes undertaken by India. In response, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed India’s readiness to fully support Sri Lanka’s efforts and agreed to the speedy implementation of the SLUDI project.
Minister Herath said the SLUDI would assist people in obtaining government services, including payments to Aswesuma beneficiaries and easier access to other state services. “This system will eliminate the need for middlemen, as money can be sent directly to beneficiaries, and there will be less corruption. It will be similar to India’s Aadhaar card, which has benefitted millions of people,” he said.
He said India’s highly successful digitalisation of the state sector had received worldwide admiration.
The Digital Economic Affairs Ministry, which comes under the President, and the Information Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) will collaborate with the Indian government to implement the project.
An Indian government delegation is expected to visit Sri Lanka next month in this regard.
It is the first Indian investment project to start after the new government took office.
In addition to this project, the two countries will also roll out Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in Sri Lanka and establish a joint working group to explore the implementation of the DPI based on experience and the system already established in India.
The two countries will promote digital financial transactions by extending the use of the UPI (United Payment Interface) digital payments for the benefit of both countries, in keeping with regulatory guidelines of both countries.
(The Sunday Times)
(This story, originally published by The Sunday Times has not been edited by SLM staff)
The Election Commission has officially gazetted Ushettige Don Nishantha Jayaweera as a Member of Parliament representing the National People’s Power (NPP).
This appointment has been made to fill the parliamentary vacancy created by the recent resignation of Harshana Suriyapperuma, the Election Commission said.
Dr Suriyapperuma was recently sworn in as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Finance after resigning from Parliament.
An Inland Revenue Department (IRD) Deputy Commissioner has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) for allegedly soliciting a bribe of Rs. 50,000 from a businessman.
According to investigations, the IRD officer had demanded a bribe from a businessman in Piliyandala in order to issue a tax clearance report for his business located in Dematagoda.
It is reported that the officer had initially demanded Rs. 100,000, but the amount was later reduced to Rs. 50,000 after negotiations. The businessman had already paid an advance of Rs. 42,000 on July 03, reports add.
CIABOC officials had nabbed him while accepting the balance Rs. 8,000 in cash, at the IRD office on Jawatte Road in Colombo.
The suspect is to be produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.
The Colombo High Court Special Trial-at-Bar has issued summons on former Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella and 11 others to appear before court on July 11. Summons have been issued over a case filed over the alleged import of substandard Human Immunoglobulin vials, in order to serve the indictments filed under 13 separate charges against the accused.
The case is to be heard before a Trial-at-Bar comprising High Court Judges Mahen Weeraman, Amali Ranawera and Pradeep Abeyratne.
