An agreement has been formalized between India and Sri Lanka to initiate work on foundational aspects of the digital ID card starting next month.

This consensus emerged from discussions held last week between representatives from the Indian Government and Sri Lanka's President's Chief of Staff and National Security Adviser, Sagala Ratnayaka.

The upcoming digital ID card, financed by a generous Rs. 4 billion Indian grant, will incorporate essential biometric data, including the holder's eye color, fingerprints, and blood type. Notably, the streamlined version will now require only six biometrics, a significant reduction from the previous 76.

The enhanced digital ID card will feature crucial details such as name, address, date of birth, gender, telephone number, and email address.

The government's strategy involves an initial rollout of the updated digital ID card for new applicants, with plans to progressively introduce it to the entire population. This phased implementation aims to ensure a smooth transition to the new system and enhance the overall efficiency of the identification process.