Sri Lanka to Launch National Digital ID by 2026 with Indian Backing”
Sri Lanka is set to introduce a nationwide digital identity system by the third quarter of 2026 under the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SL-UDI) project, supported by a Rs. 10.4 billion grant from the Government of India.
The system will be built using India’s Modular Open-Source Identity Platform and will integrate biometric data, including fingerprints, facial recognition, and iris scans. A mobile-based “e-Locker” will allow citizens to store and access official documents digitally.
While Indian firms have been shortlisted to support implementation, Sri Lankan authorities say system operations and data control will remain under local management. The final contract for the Master Systems Integrator is expected to be awarded by early 2026.
The initiative is a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s digital economy strategy for 2030, but concerns remain over data privacy, digital inclusion, and readiness among offline and rural populations.
