February 13, Colombo (LNW): In a significant move towards enhancing the country’s public administration and supporting sustainable development, the Government of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the United Nations, has launched the “Transforming Local Administrative Data Collection Systems for SDG Acceleration” Joint Programme.
The initiative, known as ‘One Registry,’ is a major step in strengthening Sri Lanka’s Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system, a cornerstone for ensuring equitable access to essential public services for all citizens.
Launched recently in Colombo, the programme is a joint effort between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), with financial backing from the UN Sri Lanka SDG Fund.
This ambitious initiative aligns with the Government’s broader digital transformation strategy, aiming to create an inclusive digital environment that empowers vulnerable populations and fosters sustainable development across the nation.
The launch event was attended by an array of distinguished figures, including Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya, Public Administration Minister Dr A.H.M.H. Abayarathna, Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, and UN representatives, including Marc-Andre Franche, the UN Sri Lanka Resident Coordinator, and Azusa Kubota, UNDP Sri Lanka’s Resident Representative.
Other notable attendees included representatives from various development agencies, the private sector, and civil society organisations, all of whom expressed strong support for the programme.
Prime Minister Dr Amarasuriya underscored the transformative potential of the initiative, stating, “Strengthening the CRVS system is pivotal in advancing our digital agenda and improving public administration. This programme will ensure that every Sri Lankan citizen has access to vital services and the right to a legal identity, promoting transparency, inclusivity, and national progress.”
The programme is designed around three core pillars: the digitalisation of civil registration processes, the creation of an interoperable registry connected to key government agencies, and efforts to increase public awareness and digital literacy.
These initiatives are intended to complement existing national digital projects such as the e-NIC (electronic National Identity Card) and the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI), working towards a unified and digitally inclusive society.
Marc-Andre Franche, the UN Sri Lanka Resident Coordinator, highlighted the importance of the initiative for the country’s digital future: “The CRVS system is a vital component of Sri Lanka’s digital transformation, ensuring that all citizens have access to legal identity and that high-quality data is available to inform data-driven policymaking. With the right policies and strategic partnerships, digital technologies can accelerate sustainable development and ensure greater accountability in governance. We are committed to supporting the Government of Sri Lanka in creating a people-centred system that leaves no one behind.”
The initiative is also backed by the European Union, with Bredal, a representative from the EU Global Gateway, expressing their support: “We are pleased to collaborate with the Government of Sri Lanka, UNDP, and WHO through the UN Sri Lanka SDG Fund to help modernise the country’s CRVS system. This will facilitate equitable access to public services. The EU Global Gateway’s investment in digitalisation is essential in advancing progress across interconnected SDGs, and we are ready to share our expertise in digitalisation and data protection to support these efforts.”
The ‘One Registry – Everyone Counts!’ project is a key component of Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by laying the foundation for scalable and sustainable reforms.
The initiative promises to bolster data-driven policymaking, enhance digital inclusion, and create a more robust, efficient, and transparent public service system, ultimately contributing to the country’s broader vision of a digitally empowered future for all its citizens.
