[Sri Lanka] - Sri Lanka releases its first digitized nationwide birth certificate

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Under the e-population program, Sri Lanka issued its first-ever digitized national birth certificate with a barcode on Tuesday (Dec.05).The
launch event was held under the patronage of State Minister of Home Affairs, Ashoka Priyantha at the Kalutara District
Secretariat.Addressing the event, the state minister said the initiative is expected to be expanded beyond Kalutara to other districts
soon.Under this initiative, as per the international standards, the number included in this National Birth Certificate will be converted
into National Identity Card (NIC) numbers later.The e-population is introduced to achieve objectives of issuing a unique Personal
Identification Number (PIN) at birth for all citizens.It is expected to build a consolidated set of basic information of every citizen of
Sri Lanka and create an efficient and reliable life events registration system, increasing the information sharing with government
institutions using the population register.Further, it aims to provide more extensive analytical capability in relation to demographics and
health statistics and increasing in coverage of recording life events.