In a bold step toward modernising governance and unlocking the potential of a digital economy, the Government of Sri Lanka has announced that a national Digital Identity (ID) system will be launched by April 2026. Officials say the move will simplify citizen access to public services, improve transparency, and lay the groundwork for a more inclusive digital economy—while ensuring that citizen privacy and data protection remain paramount.
The project, led by the Ministry of Digital Economy, is being implemented under the Digital Economy Initiative, which aims to position Sri Lanka as a regional digital hub by 2030. The system is funded through a LKR 10.4 billion grant from the Government of India, significantly reducing the financial burden on Sri Lankan taxpayers.
Replacing the decades-old physical National Identity Card (NIC) system, the digital version will be based on MOSIP (Modular Open-Source Identity Platform)—a secure, customisable, open-source digital ID framework already adopted by several countries including the Philippines, Ethiopia, Morocco, and Togo. Over 130 million people globally now use MOSIP-powered digital IDs.
The government says it evaluated three options: building a local system, using a commercial proprietary platform, or adopting an international open-source solution. MOSIP was chosen for its cost-efficiency, flexibility, and sovereignty-friendly architecture. Unlike proprietary systems that risk vendor lock-in and carry high recurring costs, MOSIP allows full government control of data, is customisable, and can be audited and updated independently.
A certified Indian systems integrator will handle the initial MOSIP customisation for Sri Lanka, while local IT professionals will be trained to run and maintain the system long-term. Data collection will be managed solely by the Department for Registration of Persons, and no biometric or personal data will be collected until the system is fully under Sri Lankan control.
The government will own and operate the infrastructure, and Sri Lanka CERT (Computer Emergency Readiness Team) will conduct a full security audit before the system goes live. To address public concerns, the Ministry stressed that citizen data will be encrypted using multi-layer protection, ensuring data security both during transmission and while stored.
Importantly, the Ministry clarified that MOSIP is not India’s Aadhaar system, though it draws inspiration from its functionality. Developed by a global consortium of identity and cybersecurity experts, MOSIP has had no reported breaches, further reinforcing its credibility.
Officials say this digital ID initiative is not just a technological upgrade—it is a national transformation. It will streamline access to both public and private sector services, reduce fraud, enhance efficiency, and enable digital authentication across sectors. Most crucially, it aims to build public trust by prioritising transparency, privacy, and local ownership.
Calling for public support, the Ministry urged stakeholders to focus on verified facts, not unfounded fears. “This is a system designed for our future,” the Ministry stated. “Digital ID is the backbone of a modern economy and a key enabler of inclusive, secure governance.”
