By Nishel Fernando 

Sri Lanka’s Department of Registrar of Companies announced plans to introduce electronic signature next year, in an effort to simplify and fully digitise its services.

At present, clients are required to enter relevant data to the system and obtain a hard copy of the same, place their signature, have it scanned, and then upload to the system. 

“It is a process with several processes and it takes time and money. Therefore, we expect to introduce the Electronic Signature system in the coming year, so that clients can use the relevant software without downloading the documents and uploading their signature into the system of the Department.

This will make it simpler and more convenient for the clients to avail themselves of our services,” Registrar General of Companies Sanjeewa Dissanayake said in the Performance Report released 12 July.

The Department also plans to simplify the incorporation process of a company and the name approval process.  This aims to improve the country’s position in the Ease of Doing Business index. Furthermore, the Department of Registrar of Companies is also expected to work directly with the Port City Development Commission to register investors.

“The aim is to develop our system as needed and provide opportunities for investors to register as offshore companies in our system directly through the Port City Development Commission,” Dissanayake added.