News

Digital NICs to be issued this month

Published

6 months ago

January 14, 2025

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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

Ex-Immigration Controller pleads guilty

Published

53 minutes ago

July 1, 2025

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Controller of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Illukpitiya, today (July 01) unconditionally pleaded guilty before the Supreme Court in a case related to contempt of court.

The charge stemmed from his failure to comply with a court order related to the e-visa issuance process.

The Supreme Court announced that sentencing will take place on July 24.

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Nishantha Wickramasinghe remanded again (Update)

Published

55 minutes ago

July 1, 2025

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Former SriLankan Airlines Chairman – Nishantha Wickramasinghe has been remanded till July 15 by Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga.

(Previous news 2025 July 01,12.15pm.)

Ex-SriLankan Airlines chief produced before court

Former Chairman of SriLankan Airlines – Nishantha Wickramasinghe has been produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court by prison officials today (July 01).

Wickramasinghe was arrested last week by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and is currently in remand custody,

News

Seat belt compulsory for bus drivers from today

Published

2 hours ago

July 1, 2025

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The National Transport Commission (NTC) has announced that starting today (July 01), it will be mandatory for all bus drivers to wear seat belts, with strict penalties for non-compliance.

Under the MotorTraffic Act, bus drivers are legally required to wear seat belts, but a rise in accidents due to drivers ignoring this rule has prompted the authorities to re-enforce it.

Police confirmed that action will be taken against drivers who fail to comply.

Seat belts to be made mandatory for all passengers in expressways

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport has also stated that wearing seat belts will be made mandatory to all passengers of light vehicles travelling on expressways from August 01, 2025.

Meanwhile, wearing seat belts will also be mandatory to all passengers of all vehicles on expressways from September 01, 2025.

Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake also confirmed the directive while speaking to media this morning (July 01) during an inspection tour at the Colombo Central Bus Stand.