The People’s Struggle Alliance has expressed deep concerns over the Sri Lankan government’s decision to entrust the issuance of digital identity cards to an Indian company.
The Alliance raised its objections in a formal letter to Minister Vijitha Herath, following his recent statement that the government plans to finalize an agreement with an Indian firm by January 2025.
The Alliance observed that the agreement, which was initiated during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s state visit to India, reportedly grants the Indian company authority over issuing digital identity cards to Sri Lankan citizens.
The Alliance fears this move poses significant threats to national security, public safety, democratic rights, the state economy, and Sri Lanka’s sovereignty.
In their letter, the Alliance stressed that such a critical decision must be carefully examined in light of its broader implications.
“We live in an era of information, and it is a massive risk for a country to give away its people’s information and data to another foreign country. A nation can be subjugated even just by acquiring the information of its people from another country,” the Alliance wrote, warning of India’s strategic intervention in Sri Lanka.
The Alliance further argued that by allowing a foreign entity to control sensitive personal data, Sri Lanka could expose itself to external influences that undermine national security.
The letter said “India is making that strategic intervention in Sri Lanka today. Given this, the public safety of the people of Sri Lanka is at grave risk.”
The letter also stressed underscoring the potential consequences of outsourcing the issuance of digital identity cards to a foreign company.
In response to this concern, the Alliance stressed a proposal before Parliament to immediately revoke the decision to hand over the digital identity card project to an Indian company.
The Alliance emphasized the need for Sri Lanka to develop its own capacity to manage digital identity systems internally, ensuring data protection and security for all citizens.
The Alliance said the impending finalization of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties is expected to attract significant public debate, as questions surrounding data privacy and national security take center stage.
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