News

Digital NICs to be issued this month

Published

5 months ago

January 14, 2025

editor

The digital National Identity Cards (NICs) will be issued by this month, Digital Economy Deputy Minister – Eranga Weeraratne has said.

Speaking at a media briefing today (Jan. 14), he said that all new National Identity Cards (NICs) will be transitioned to a digital format.

The initiative aims to alleviate the delay in the current system issuing NICs.

Noting that the total cost of implementing the digital NIC system is estimated as Rs. 20 billion, the Deputy Minister has said that half the cost will be covered through assistance from India.

The Deputy Minister has also addressed security concerns voiced lately. “There’s no need for concern about the digital identity system. The Indian company is only assisting with the technical setup and will not have access to any personal data. The government will be the sole entity with access to the information,” he had said.

Earlier, the Movement for the People’s Struggle had urged the government to explain reasons for the integration of the people’s biometric details in electronic identity cards.

Speaking to media, the movement’s Executive Member Wasantha Mudalige had said, “An explanation should be issued as to why these details are obtained. One might think that this is due to technology, safety, or convenience-related reasons. But, that is not the case… The issue is, with Government involvement, we are giving India permission to collect all these details for the purpose of issuing electronic identity cards…”

He said the decision to obtain an Indian company’s services is a result of decisions made by the previous government.

Mudalige had also expressed concerns about the possible leak of biometric data.

News

COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

Published

3 hours ago

May 31, 2025

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The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

(This story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Anudi misses out from Miss World Quarter-Finals

Published

3 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Miss World organization has announced its quarter-finalists, selecting 40 contestants from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Sri Lanka’s Anudi Gunasekara, was not selected in the top 40, despite being recognized for her impressive performances in the Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges.

The top 40 consisted of 10 contestants each from Asia & Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas.