Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2015-12-16

Amendment of Regulations in relation to the issuance of a new National Identity Card instead of the National Identity Card presently in use

- It has been observed that the various issues and difficulties arise in the use of the Identity Cards presently being issued by the Department of Registration of Persons. Therefore, taking into consideration the International standards, the necessary actions are already being carried out to provide for the establishment of a National Persons Database and issuance of a secured Electronic National Identity Card incorporating the bio-metric information of the relevant person. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. S.B. Navinne, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs, to take necessary steps to enact regulations in that regard, as per the provisions of the Registration of Persons Act, No.32 of 1968, was approved by the Cabinet.