Monday Aug 24, 2026
Monday Aug 24, 2026
Thursday, 20 August 2026 00:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Adviser to the President on Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya (left) and Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday reviewed progress on a series of digitalisation projects spanning identity, payments, public services and telecommunications, as the Government pushes ahead with its target of increasing the value of Sri Lanka’s digital economy to $ 30 billion by 2030.
Among the immediate milestones, the first digital identity card is scheduled to be issued by the end of this year, while all vehicle fine payments across the country are set to move exclusively online from September.
The targets were discussed at a progress review of projects and programs implemented during 2026 by the Ministry of Digital Economy and institutions under its purview, held at the Presidential Secretariat.
The President reviewed progress on the digital identity card initiative, with Ministry officials stating that the necessary arrangements were underway to issue the first card by year-end.
The meeting also assessed the GovPay program, introduced to make financial transactions between the public and the Government more efficient and convenient. According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the necessary infrastructure has been put in place to enable all vehicle fine payments across the country to be processed exclusively online from September.
President Dissanayake instructed officials to focus on establishing the Information Technology Service as an All-Island Service capable of contributing to the Government’s digital transformation process.
The review covered the National Super App project, which is intended to make public services more convenient, as well as the National QR Drive aimed at reducing cash usage and promoting digital transactions.
Progress was also reviewed on the National Data Exchange (NDX), which is designed to facilitate the secure and transparent exchange of information among Government institutions while streamlining public service delivery.
The Number Portability project, which would allow mobile phone users to switch networks without changing their existing telephone numbers, was also discussed, alongside the Government’s digital procurement and services platform.
The meeting reviewed the Public Impact Champions Network (PIC-Net) program, introduced under the Government’s digital economy plan to digitise public services and improve the efficiency of service delivery.
Officials also discussed the Data Transmission Unit (DTU), AI Data Centre and the GovTech Academy’s training and educational programs aimed at promoting digital technology, information and communication technology skills and innovation across the Government and public service. The Academy’s future plans were also considered.
The President also reviewed progress in establishing GovTech, including the development of the required technological infrastructure and recruitment of staff.
Progress of projects and programs undertaken by institutions under the Ministry was considered separately, including those involving the Department for Registration of Persons, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT), Data Protection Authority, GovTech, Sri Lanka Telecom-Mobitel and Colombo Lotus Tower Management Company.
The performance and progress of other projects, including the television program digitisation project, were also reviewed.
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, Ministry of Digital Economy Secretary Waruna Sri Dhanapala and heads of institutions under the Ministry participated in the meeting.
