Daily NEWS Srilanka

The Department of Registrations of Persons is making preparations to introduce a new electronic identity card according to international standards and arguments have cropped up in connection with issuing tenders in relation to the procedure. In this process, Minister in charge of the subject has taken steps to remove the Commissioner General of the department with immediate effect. It is also

When calling for tenders, a price bid of Rs. 40, 76, 140 etcetera was forwarded for each card in respect of the electronic identity card by the Department of Registrations of Persons and such a cost forwarded usually varies as Rs. 40, 76 and 140 and had been forwarded by each company; but the variation of bids extending twofold, threefold has raised suspicion. Informed sources say that this price hike has occured as a result of payment of commissions to certain heads, which too has been included. It was the intention of of the International Civil Aviation Services Organisation who issues this new identity card to release it initially to ten lakhs citizens and gradually to release the new identity card step by step which then was the target of the Department of Registrations of Persons. Minimising opportunities of frauds and cheating taking place over the present identity cards was the objective of launching this change.

Whatever it is, since issuing this new identity card covering a population of some millions in Sri Lanka is a project which could earn massive profits in securing a tender in this connection, internal arguments and conflicts have flared up. In the meantime Minister S.B. Nawinna has taken this sudden decision to remove Commissioner General Mr. Sarath Kumara from that position in the process. Mr. Lian Jayatilleka, Controller of Emigration and Immigration would be acting to fill that position at present as stated in the Cabinet Paper forwarded yesterday by the Minister.