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)

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