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 9th China-South Asia Expo, which opened on June 19 in Kunming, China, will conclude tomorrow (June 24).
This year’s event held under the theme “Solidarity and Coordination for Common Development, has attracted over 1,400 companies from 54 countries and regions, with Sri Lanka as the Guest of Honour country and Thailand as the special partner nation.
China-Sri Lanka bilateral trade reached a record high of USD 5.36 billion in 2024, representing a 13.4% year-on-year increase. This makes Sri Lanka China’s fastest-growing trade partner in South Asia.
The Sri Lankan pavilion was officially declared open by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Trade and Commerce – Wasantha Samarasinghe and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment – Arun Hemachandra, who jointly led the country’s high-level delegation to the prestigious regional event.
CGTN’s Ms. Li Qiuyuan spoke with Mr. Kusal Perera, a political analyst and writer for ‘Sri Lanka Mirror’, about his expectations for the expo.
Speaking, Mr. Perera said that Sri Lanka needs to see how the ‘export basket’ can be diversified from the traditional export goods such as tea, in order to make the most of this platform to boost bilateral trade and engagement with China.
When asked which emerging areas such as energy transformation, digital economy and low carbon development seem to be the most promising for the island nation, Mr. Perera highlighted the importance of a combination of energy, technology and environment. “But in the process, we also have to have our national economy planned to accommodate all that,” he emphasised, adding that it will be a long process for Sri Lanka.
He further commented : “I see China opening up instead of getting into protectionism like Europe. It’s basically the second largest economy in the world… still expanding… still improving… still developing…”
China’s economic openness for all South Asian countries is a huge opportunity in a global economy that now retreats with regulated and protected markets. Protectionism would not be a catalyst for economic growth. We in South Asia have to be open too. China is already open and its economy is growing on global trade. It’s their openness that has taken them everywhere” he adds.
Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs – Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala has informed Parliament that a renewed investigation is underway into a fraudulent bank account allegedly maintained by Shiranthi Rajapaksa, wife of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
He stated that a fake account titled ‘Siriliya Saviya’ had been opened in her name and that the mandate form related to the ‘Siriliya’ Organization’s bank accounts had been fraudulently removed from the bank.
The Minister further revealed :
The account, now suspended, was opened on November 14, 2006, at the People’s Bank, Suduwella Branch, Darley Road, Colombo 10, under account number 143/1/001/4/6235069. Shiranthi Rajapaksa is listed as the chairperson of the account, with Kalyani Dissanayake as secretary and Nirosha Jeevani as treasurer.
The account currently holds a balance of Rs.43 million. Records indicate that Rs. 82,900,088 had been deposited on 88 occasions, while Rs.39,015,656 had been withdrawn on 129 occasions. Additionally, a fixed deposit of Rs.10 million had been opened under the name ‘Siriliya’.
The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) has resumed investigations into the matter.
Deputy Minister also mentioned several other questionable financial transactions involving the Rajapaksa family, such as ;
Rs.152 million allegedly obtained by CSN (Carlton Sports Network) from the Treasury.
Rs.35 million obtained by Gotabaya Rajapaksa from the Urban Development Authority to build a memorial for his parents.
Rs.208 million used by Basil Rajapaksa to purchase a house in Malwana.
