Sri Lanka to launch digital identity project after decade-long delay

Sri Lanka is preparing to issue its inaugural national digital identity this year, with nationwide rollout scheduled for completion by August 2027, unlocking a strategic digitalization initiative that stalled for over ten years.

Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranda Weliange confirmed during a media briefing in Colombo announcing SLT Mobitel financial results for the first half of 2026 that the delayed project entered its active implementation phase. Authorities established the digital identity framework, aiming to issue the first credentials this year and achieve full implementation by August next year.

Officials held discussions and placed the project on hold since 2012 before unlocking it for current execution. The digital identity framework operates alongside the national data exchange, which integrates scattered state sector databases to eliminate institutional silos. Furthermore, the government develops the 'Supiri App' as a unified single-window portal allowing citizens to access public services seamlessly.

Establishing a secure digital identity system serves as a vital component in transitioning the nation from a cash-heavy society toward a cashless digital payments ecosystem while accelerating sectoral digitalization across smart education, healthcare, agriculture, transport, and tourism.

To support nationwide digital adoption, authorities work to expand geographic network coverage from 94 percent to 98 percent over a two-to-three-year fast-track development period. This expansion requires installing 600 to 800 new telecommunication towers alongside ongoing school fiberisation initiatives to ensure a minimum speed of two megabits per second across all provinces.