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Govt. accused of giving Indian companies access to Lankans’ biometrics

Published

2 years ago

2024/02/12

Thilina Walpola

Pubudu Jayagoda

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) on Sunday (11) flayed the government for having agreed to grant some Indian companies access to the biometrics of Sri Lankans under the proposed Unitary Digital Identity Framework project.

FSP Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda said the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha had, on 01 February, told the media that an Indian company would print national identity cards with biometric features soon. Jayagoda said there were some issues in the bids made by Indian companies in 2023, but they would be sorted out by mid-2024.

In 2023, the Indian government provided 450 million Indian rupees for the implementation of the Unitary Digital Identity Framework project in Sri Lanka. According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) the vendor should be an Indian company.

The Sri Lankan government called for tenders to select a service provider, but the two Indian companies were disqualified because they were not able to comply with basic criteria.

Jayagoda said: “The ID cards we use now have bio-data like name, date of birth, etc. In 2015, the Registration of Persons Act was changed to allow the issuance of an ID with biometrics.

When this act was amended, only one MP opposed it. We don’t think that the state has the right to access biometrics without a court order. This harks back to the time of kings, when rulers owned the physical bodies of their subjects,” he said.

Jayagoda said that the issue of collecting biometrics had national security implications.

“This started during the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration. In July 2021, criteria were prepared for a new electronic national identity card. On 28 January 2022, the Cabinet approved Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Cabinet paper seeking approval to award the digital identification card project to an Indian company. This opened doors for India to step in. On 08 May 2023, the Ranil-Rajapaksa government called for tenders for the project that was only open for Indian companies. The entire project costs 41.09 billion rupees. India will only give about 22 billion rupees and will get access to the biometrics of 22 million Sri Lankans. What an amazing deal for India,” Jayagoda said.

Madras Security Printers (MSP) and Protean Technologies were the Indian companies that offered bids. MSP, who has been blacklisted in India as well as in several other countries, nearly got the tender.

“The project did not get off the ground due to public outrage. Now tenders will be called again. No matter what Indian company wins, this will give access to invaluable data to a foreign state. This is a great threat to national security. No other country has given access to the biometrics of its people to a foreign country.”

Jayagoda said a country like Singapore, which collects biometrics, has gone to great lengths to prevent access to data for private or foreign companies. In the 21st century, data and information are tools that can be used to dominate other states.

“We urge people to not give their biometrics to any foreign company,” he said.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

Published

3 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
at 3.30 p.m. on 20 April 2026, valid for 21 April 2026

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.

Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.

Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.

Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.

Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

Latest News

Advisory for Severe Lightning issued for all provinces of Sri Lanka

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/20

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 12.00 noon 20 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 20 April 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur most places in the island after 1.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:

 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.

 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.

 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.

 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.

 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.

 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

News

Indian Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan meets Prime Minister

Published

10 hours ago

2026/04/20

Priyan

The Vice President of India, C.P. Radhakrishnan, who is currently on a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka, held a bilateral discussion with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Sunday (19) morning at Temple Trees.

Upon his arrival at Temple Trees, the Indian Vice President was received by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. The Prime Minister also extended her congratulations to C.P. Radhakrishnan on his appointment as the Vice President of India.

During the meeting, the Vice President noted that this is his first official visit to Sri Lanka and expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him during his stay.

The occasion was attended by the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel; Members of Parliament Dr. K. Laxman and Dr. Medha Vishram Kulkarni; Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri; and the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, and representing the Government of Sri Lanka the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath; Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage; Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj; Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri; Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Harshana Suriyapperuma; Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa; and several other officials.