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NPP to go ahead with Unique Digital Identity project amidst protests

Published

12 months ago

2025/02/11

Jha addressing the gathering (pic courtesy IHC)

In spite of strong opposition, the NPP government and India are going ahead with the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) project. The National Freedom Front and Frontline Socialist Party, both JVP offshoots, have bitterly warned of catastrophic consequences for the country from the India-led project.

Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha explained measures taken in this regard at the recent BIMSTEC Digital Conclave 2025 in Colombo.

The IHC quoted Jha as having said: “In the bilateral context, the recent visit of President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka to India added further momentum to this very important pillar of cooperation – people-centric digitisation. The leaders agreed to expedite implementation of the India-assisted INR 300 crores Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) project which will act as the foundational DPI and unlock developmental dividends of the DPI Stack for Sri Lanka. A Joint Working Group on Digital Economy has also been set up. Technical discussions on the implementation of DigiLocker in Sri Lanka are ongoing. While UPI Payments was launched in Sri Lanka last year for the ease of payments for Indian tourists, we are now looking at extending the use of UPI digital payments for the benefit of both countries.

There is also interest for bilateral exchanges to garner learnings from India’s GeM portal, PM Gati Shakti digital platform on coordinated and integrated development of infrastructure, digitized customs and other taxation procedures, with a view to exploring the benefits of establishing equivalent systems in Sri Lanka. The benefits of these are clearly visible in India. GeM Portal alone has led to saving of 13 billion US Dollars in the last decade by bringing down expenditure on projects and procurements. The GATI SHAKTI has significantly expanded the pace of infrastructure development. Similarly, Digitisation of Taxation System has increased revenues and has even brought in greater transparency, the Indian HC claimed.

I look forward to the conversations at the BIMSTEC Digital Conclave, as it takes the participants through the entire bouquet of DPI stack.

Before I conclude, let me just say that the digital world is shifting gears from open APIs (Application Programming Interface) to open source AI models. India is building foundational AI models using 18000+ high-end GPUs and large non-personal data sets. Compared to global models’ computation costing 2.5 to 3 dollars per hour usage, India’s AI Model computation will cost less than 100 rupees per hour after 40% government subsidy. India’s AI Mission is based on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Vision of AI for All. As in other areas, we are ready and willing to share our journey with our closest maritime neighbor-Sri Lanka and our BIMSTEC partners.”

HC Jha congratulated NPP government for the digital initiatives launched, including the ‘GovPay’ platform for digitization of all government payments, and the introduction of the Electronic Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates facility for Sri Lankans abroad.

These initiatives form part of the special emphasis laid on digital transformation by the Sri Lankan Government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka. This emphasis, together with Sri Lanka being the BIMSTEC sectoral lead for Science, Technology and Innovation, make Colombo the obvious choice for hosting this Digital Conclave, he said.

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Royal Navy of Oman Ship ‘AL SEEB’ leaves island

Published

3 hours ago

2026/01/26

Priyan

The Royal Navy of Oman Ship ‘AL SEEB’ concluded a logistics replenishment visit to Sri Lanka and departed the Port of Colombo on 24 Jan 26.

In accordance with naval tradition, the Sri Lanka Navy extended a customary farewell to the departing ship.

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Gold tops $5,000 for first time ever, adding to historic rally

Published

12 hours ago

2026/01/26

Priyan

[pic BBC]

The price of gold has risen above $5,000 (£3,659) an ounce for the first time, extending a historic rally that saw the precious metal jump by more than 60% in 2025.

It comes as tensions between the US and NATO over Greenland have added to growing concerns about financial and geopolitical uncertainty.

US President Donald Trump’s trade policies have also worried markets. On Saturday he threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Canada if it strikes a trade deal with China.

Gold and other precious metals are seen as a so-called safe-haven assets that investors buy in times of uncertainty.

Demand for gold has also been driven by a range of other factors including higher-than-usual inflation, the weak US dollar, buying by central banks around the world and as the US Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates again this year.

Wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as Washington seizing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, have also helped push up the price of gold.

On Friday, silver topped $100 an ounce for the first time, building on its almost 150% rise last year.

[BBC]

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Auditor General issue acid test for newly constituted CC, says former COPE Chief

Published

13 hours ago

2026/01/26

Sahan Weerasooriya

Charitha

SJB Working Committee member and ex-SLPP lawmaker Charitha Herath says that all eyes are on the newly constituted Constitutional Council (CC) as to how it will handle the dispute between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and the previous CC, over the appointment of Auditor General (AG).

The former parliamentarian said so in response to The Island query yesterday (25). In terms of the Constitution, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa last week agreed on the appointment of former civil servant Austin Fernando, Professor Wasantha Seneviratne and Ranjith Ariyaratne as non-MP members of the CC.

They replaced former Ministry Secretary Dr. Prathap Ramanujam, former Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Medical Association Dr. Dilkushi Anula Wijesundere and Dr. Dinesha Samararatne of the University of Colombo. Pointing out that they rejected the President’s nominees for the AG’s post on several occasions, Herath emphasised the pivotal importance of the appointment of a person with impeccable credentials.

The other CC members are the Prime Minister, Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne (Chairman), the Opposition Leader, the President’s nominee Bimal Rathnayake and five persons appointed by the President, upon being nominated as follows: one MP nominated by agreement of the majority of the MPs representing the Government (Aboobucker Athambawa, MP), one MP nominated by agreement of the majority of the Members of Parliament of the political party, or independent group, to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs (Ajith P. Perera, MP), and one MP nominated by agreement of the Members of Parliament other than those representing the Government and those belonging to the political party or independent group to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs, and appointed by the President ( Sivagnanam Shritharan, MP.)

The present CC was established on October 31, 2022 in terms of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution. The Attorney General heads the National Audit Office (NAO). One-time COPE Chief said that it would be the responsibility of the government to ensure the integrity of the NAO.

Chulantha Wickramaratne, who served as AG for a period of six years, retired in April 2025. Following his retirement, President Dissanayake nominated H.T.P. Chandana, an audit officer at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation as the AG. The CC rejected that nomination. Subsequently, President Dissanayake appointed the next senior-most official at the NAO Dharmapala Gammanpila as Acting Auditor General for a period of six months. Then, the President nominated Senior Deputy Auditor General L.S.I. Jayarathne to serve in an acting capacity, but her nomination, too, was also rejected. Many an eyebrow was raised when the President nominated O.R. Rajasinghe, the Internal Audit Director of the Sri Lanka Army for the top post. That nomination too was rejected. As a result, the vital position remains vacant since 07 December, 2025.

Herath said that the government was in a bind over the Auditor General’s appointment and the disgraceful campaign launched against Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe, Jr, PC.

The ex-lawmaker said that JVP/NPP loyalists masquerading as journalists and civil activists had launched the protest against the Attorney General. Herath said that the decision to send Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne, on compulsory leave, too, was a matter of serious concern.

Herath said: “This is the same government that campaigned strongly on non-interference, institutional independence, and respect for the rule of law—principles they used to criticise every previous administration. Now, they appear to be doing exactly what they once opposed, only more openly. If this pattern continues, these undemocratic actions will eventually lead to their own downfall.”

BASL in late December, 2025 urged President Dissanayake and others, including the Opposition Leader, to consult civil society and professional bodies, including them, before the appointment of civil society representatives.

Herath said that the newly constituted CC would face its first acid test when it addressed the Auditor General issue.

by Shamindra Ferdinando