Fresh Tender for Sri Lanka's Digital ID After Indian Firms Disqualified

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Department of Registration of Persons (DRP) announced plans to transition towards a digital identity card system, starting with new applicants from January 2024. 

This marks a significant step in modernizing national identification and streamlining administrative processes.

The initial phase will focus on issuing digital identity cards to individuals applying for new identity documents. 

The DRP then intends to gradually roll out the digital system across the entire population, offering a more secure and convenient alternative to traditional physical cards.

In a new development, Sri Lanka's Technology Ministry announced plans to relaunch the bidding process for selecting a service provider to print its Unique Digital Identity Cards. 

This decision comes after the disqualification of both Indian companies that submitted proposals in the previous attempt.

Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, State Technology Minister Kanaka Herath confirmed the government's intention to call for fresh bids by the end of 2023. 

"There were two bidders from India in the previous round, but neither met the required qualifications," Herath explained. "Following last week's Joint Project Monitoring Committee meeting, we decided to re-advertise the bid."