Govt. moves to quell fears over data privacy in India-funded e-NIC project

Wednesday, 16 July 2025 00:40 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Government yesterday sought to reassure the public that the country’s electronic National Identity Card (e-NIC) project will not compromise citizens’ personal or biometric data, following concerns over privacy and foreign access.

Speaking at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa categorically rejected allegation of data vulnerability, describing them as politically motivated and lacking factual basis.

“All the data will be fed into the system by the officials of the Department for Registration of Persons,” he added.

Earlier this week, National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa alleged that the Government has handed over the tender to develop Sri Lanka’s e-NIC system to an Indian non-profit company, raising serious concerns over national data security. He claimed that the tender allows the Indian company access to highly sensitive personal data of Sri Lankan citizens, including biometric information such as fingerprints, retina scans, and residential details.

Weerawansa noted that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Sri Lanka and India in 2021, involving the Department of Persons Registration and an Indian firm, to develop the e-NIC system. Although the initiative remained dormant initially, it was revived in 2023 by the previous administration under former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, with an allocation of Rs. 3 million to recommence the project.

Dr. Jayatissa said the Government takes the full responsibility and there is no need to data breach and it is done in a transparent manner.

When asked if there was any influence from India to have a condition that only an Indian company can bid for it, the Cabinet Spokesman dismissed all claims, adding that the e-NIC is being carried out via an Indian grant.

On Monday, Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eng. Eranga Weeraratne also rejected baseless accusations in the media and even in Parliament regarding data misuse. “There is no risk of data leakage. The Iris scan feature has not been procured yet. The digital ID will not capture medical data. It will only collect basic identity and biometric information, strictly adhering to global data protection standards,” he assured.

Weeraratne said all system support and maintenance will be handled 100% by Sri Lankan companies. “There is no need for fear. The system has been built with the highest regard for privacy, sovereignty, and security,” he stressed.

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