February 06, Colombo (LNW): In a significant move to boost the country’s digital public infrastructure, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Digital Economy, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and other key stakeholders, has launched a new civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) system.
This initiative, which was unveiled at the Sri Lanka Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Summit 2025 in Colombo, aims to modernise the nation’s digital governance and service delivery.
The CRVS system, as outlined by the World Health Organisation (WHO), is a crucial part of a nation’s digital framework, designed to register all vital life events such as births and deaths.
The platform will also gather key information on public health matters, including causes of death, and could potentially include data on marriages and divorces.
By centralising this data, the government will be able to make more informed decisions and enhance its planning and delivery of services to citizens.
During his address at the summit, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne stressed the importance of the upgraded CRVS system in improving the accuracy, reliability, and accessibility of vital records.
He highlighted that the system’s capabilities would play a critical role in the efficient functioning of public services, making them more accessible to citizens.
“Our ultimate objective is to create a society where all public services are just a click away, readily accessible to every citizen, regardless of their location,” Weeraratne remarked, emphasising the need for continued advancements in Sri Lanka’s digital public infrastructure (DPI).
Weeraratne went on to explain that the establishment of a robust DPI framework is central to the nation’s ongoing digital transformation. He underscored that achieving these goals requires strong collaboration between the public and private sectors.
“The digital infrastructure we are building now is the foundation for every future digital modernisation effort in Sri Lanka. Through these initiatives, the government envisions the country’s digital economy reaching an ambitious target of US $15 billion by 2030,” he added.
As part of the effort to bridge the gap between government and private sector systems, Weeraratne pointed to the Digital ID system, which will serve as a vital tool in connecting both sectors and streamlining public services.
The Digital ID system is expected to make accessing essential services more efficient for citizens, contributing to the government’s broader vision of a more digitally inclusive society.
“We are committed to ensuring that Sri Lanka’s economic transformation is inclusive, equitable, and secure,” Weeraratne said, highlighting the importance of narrowing the digital divide. He emphasised that the country’s economic progress should include marginalised groups, rural populations, and underserved communities, ensuring no one is left behind in the transition to a digital economy.
In closing, the Deputy Minister called for a unified effort to position Sri Lanka as a competitive player in the global digital marketplace, stressing that the nation’s success in this space depends on collective action and commitment to digital innovation at every level.
