The main Parliamentary Opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), urged the Government to opt for inexpensive polyvinyl chloride (PVC) physical national identity cards (NICs) instead of the proposed polycarbonate cards under the ongoing electronic NIC project. 

It further said that the Government should look into amending the relevant laws.

SJB Parliamentarian Dr. Harsha de Silva discussed this during a press briefing held yesterday (24) in Colombo. He added that even though physical NICs are not necessary in the said project, since some expect physical NICs, steps are underway to provide the same.

“The Department of the Registration of Persons initiated an e-NIC project. The project involves identifying a person’s fingerprint and face, and later storing those details on a card. In this process, a physical card is not required for the NIC. However, steps are underway to introduce a physical card under the e-NIC project,” he said, adding that during the relevant discussions, it was stated that it is possible to issue an inexpensive card since some require a physical NIC and that the relevant laws stipulate that a card that can be used up to 10 years should be issued.

“The world is moving forward without (physical) cards. However, a tender has been called to purchase 15 million polycarbonate cards. One of these cards costs around $ 1-2. The total comes to about $ 20-25 million,” he said, adding that he is against this move and that Sri Lanka can therefore opt for inexpensive PVC cards.