Colombo, 19 August 2026 – In a significant stride towards accelerating Sri Lanka’s digital transformation, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today presided over a high-level review of the Ministry of Digital Economy’s 2026 projects, announcing pivotal milestones set to reshape public services. Key among these are the exclusive online processing of all vehicle fine payments from September and the scheduled issuance of the nation’s first digital identity card by the end of this year.
Driving Sri Lanka’s Digital Transformation Forward
The President, during the comprehensive progress review meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat, issued crucial instructions to officials. He underscored the importance of establishing the Information Technology Service as an All-Island Service, emphasizing its potential to make a substantial contribution to the Government’s overarching digital transformation process. This strategic move is integral to the broader national agenda of boosting Sri Lanka’s digital economy to an ambitious US$30 billion by 2030.
Comprehensive Review of Key Digital Initiatives
The meeting provided a detailed examination of the progress achieved across various projects and programmes currently being implemented by the Ministry of Digital Economy and its affiliated institutions. The review specifically scrutinised the advancements made by the Department for Registration of Persons, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL), the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT), the Data Protection Authority, GovTech, Sri Lanka Telecom-Mobitel, and the Colombo Lotus Tower Management Company. Additionally, the performance and progress of projects such as the television programme digitisation initiative were thoroughly assessed.
Major Milestones: Digital ID Cards and Online Fine Payments
A core focus of the President’s review was the advancement of the process to issue digital identity cards. Ministry officials confirmed that all necessary arrangements are currently underway, reaffirming the commitment to issue the first digital identity card by the close of 2026. This development marks a significant leap towards modernising personal identification systems.
Furthermore, the current progress of the GovPay programme, which aims to enhance the efficiency and convenience of all financial transactions between the public and the Government, was also meticulously reviewed. A critical announcement emerged from this review: all necessary infrastructure has been successfully put in place to ensure that all vehicle fine payments across the country will be processed exclusively online starting from September this year, promising greater transparency and ease for citizens.
Expanding the Digital Ecosystem: Super Apps, QR Drives, and Data Exchange
The President also received updates on several other vital digital initiatives designed to create a more integrated and efficient digital ecosystem in Sri Lanka:
- National Super App project: Aimed at consolidating public services into a single, convenient platform.
- National QR Drive project: Designed to reduce cash usage and promote digital transactions nationwide.
- National Data Exchange (NDX): Facilitating secure and transparent information exchange among government institutions to streamline service delivery.
- Number Portability project: Enabling mobile phone users to switch networks without changing their existing telephone numbers.
- Government’s digital procurement and services platform: Enhancing efficiency and transparency in government procurement.
Fostering Digital Capacity and Future Infrastructure
Discussions also extended to the Public Impact Champions Network (PIC-Net) programme, a key component of the Government’s digital economy plan focused on digitising public services and improving service delivery efficiency. Attention was also directed towards the Data Transmission Unit (DTU), the AI Data Centre, and the GovTech Academy’s training and educational programmes. These initiatives are paramount for fostering digital technology, information and communication technology (ICT) skills, and innovation across the government and public service sectors. The Academy’s future plans were also deliberated in detail.
The meeting concluded with a review of the ongoing efforts to establish GovTech, including the development of crucial technological infrastructure and the strategic recruitment of skilled personnel to ensure the successful implementation of these ambitious projects.
The President’s review underscores the Government’s firm commitment to leveraging digital advancements for national progress, aiming to deliver more efficient, accessible, and transparent public services to all Sri Lankans.
Among those present at the meeting were Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Senior Adviser to the President on Digital Economy Dr Hans Wijayasuriya, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy Waruna Sri Dhanapala, and the heads of various institutions operating under the Ministry of Digital Economy.
Source: President’s Media Division
