Govt. mulls central database for citizen information

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has paid his attention to setting up a central database for citizens’ data, his office said in a media communiqué.

A central database could store information regarding national identity cards, driving licences, emigration and immigration, etc.

President Rajapaksa said a central database would be instrumental in reducing time, effort and money spent on such services.

This was discussed when President Rajapaksa met the officials of the Information and Communication Technology Ministry yesterday. 

The existing practice is to gather the same information by several entities. If this can be brought under one umbrella organisation, it would greatly reduce delays and ensure efficiency, the President had pointed out.

He also said this would prevent the circulation of erroneous and duplicitous information.

Minister Bandula Gunawardene, State Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene, secretaries to the ministries and several other officials were present at the discussion.