Sri Lanka and India will jointly collaborate to expedite the implementation of the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identification (SLUDI) project to aid the country in its efforts to improve the delivery of state services to the people.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) is due to be signed next month, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said.

During President Anura Kumara Disanayake’s visit to India last week, he conveyed the government’s interest in exploring the establishment of the successful people-centric digitalisation programmes undertaken by India. In response, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed India’s readiness to fully support Sri Lanka’s efforts and agreed to the speedy implementation of the SLUDI project.

Minister Herath said the SLUDI would assist people in obtaining government services, including payments to Aswesuma beneficiaries and easier access to other state services. “This system will eliminate the need for middlemen, as money can be sent directly to beneficiaries, and there will be less corruption. It will be similar to India’s Aadhaar card, which has benefitted millions of people,” he said.

He said India’s highly successful digitalisation of the state sector had received worldwide admiration. The Digital Economic Affairs Ministry, which comes under the President, and the Information Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) will collaborate with the Indian government to implement the project.

An Indian government delegation is expected to visit Sri Lanka next month in this regard. It is the first Indian investment project to start after the new government took office.

In addition to this project, the two countries will also roll out Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in Sri Lanka and establish a joint working group to explore the implementation of the DPI based on experience and the system already established in India.

The two countries will promote digital financial transactions by extending the use of the UPI (United Payment Interface) digital payments for the benefit of both countries, in keeping with regulatory guidelines of both countries.

There’s good news for the season for many here who have loved ones overseas, as Canada Post announced that it will resume its air mail services from tomorrow, Monday, December 23. However, Superintendent of International Postal Services Samanmalie Perera said that they anticipate some disruption in services due to a backlog of mails.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will travel to the island’s largest bilateral lender China for talks in January, he said on Saturday, days after completing a long-delayed foreign debt restructure.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy hospital ship ‘Peace Ark’ arrived in Colombo on a formal visit yesterday. ‘Peace Ark’ is a 178-meter-long hospital ship, crewed by 310 personnel under the command of Captain Deng Qiang.

A total of 2,243 people have died in road accidents this year, police said. They reported that 22,967 road accidents, including 2,141 fatal accidents, occurred between January 1 and December 13, 2024. Police said 6,500 serious accidents and 9,127 minor accidents were reported during this period.

Two writ petitions have been filed in the Court of Appeal requesting the court issue an order disqualifying Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Dr Upali Pannilage and Jaffna District Independent MP Dr Ramanathan Archchuna as MPs.

The Western province continued to lead the provincial gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023, albeit slipping from the 2022 levels while the North Western and Central provinces following as the distant second and third in the provincial distribution of Sri Lanka’s total economic output.

The government is hoping to initiate discussions with India to update the Free Trade Agreement between India and Sri Lanka, which was signed several decades ago, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said. He told a news conference that the FTA with India needs to be updated and continue as the market has expanded now.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has clarified in a statement that during his tenure from 2022 to September 2024 all private requests for medical assistance from public representatives were handled under the standard administrative procedures of the Presidential Fund.

Three people have died and at least 30 others injured in an accident that occurred this morning (21) when a bus veered off the road on the Hatton-Kandy main road.

The Colombo Lotus Tower Management Company (Private) Limited has announced extended operating hours for the festive season. The tower will be open to the public on December 25 and 26 from 9 a.m. to midnight. On December 27, it will operate from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Additionally, the tower will remain open on December 31 and January 1, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. on January 2.

The deadline for rice imports permitted by the government expired at midnight on Friday (Dec 20) with private importers bringing in 67,000 metric tonnes during the period. Sri Lanka Customs said that it collected Rs. 4.3 billion in taxes on these imports.

The Colombo High Court today announced that the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has upheld its previous ruling confirming the death sentences imposed on former DIG Vass Gunawardena and five other accused over the abduction and murder of businessman Mohamed Siyam in 2013.

Former Parliamentarian Kulasingam Dhileeban has been arrested on allegations of financial fraud. It is reported that he has been arrested for financial fraud related to a land deal. The former Vanni District MP was arrested by officials from the Vavuniya Special Crimes Division.

The government has extended the temporary lifting of rice import restrictions, allowing private importers to bring in rice without a license until January 10.

The government is to appoint a special committee to prepare a policy framework on foreign research vessels entering Sri Lankan waters, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said today.

While standing by former Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Canberra Himalee Arunatilaka, who faced a lawsuit over a salary issue of a domestic aide, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said Arunatilaka had not committed any financial fraud and that it was due to an issue with Sri Lankan salary scale.

MP Dayasiri Jayasekera has rejected allegations that he improperly benefited from the President’s Fund. The remarks follow Minister Jayatissa’s recent parliamentary disclosure of payments from the President’s Fund to politicians between 2005 and 2024.

A multi-day trawler carrying more than 100 suspected illegal emigrants lost its course and drifted towards the sea off the Mullivaikkal coast in Mullaitivu.

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today issued a warrant for the arrest of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thera for failing to appear before court on the day the judgment was to be delivered over a case filed against him.

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has not submitted his educational certificates to Parliament as yet, despite his claims of tabling them in Parliament yesterday, Cabinet spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today.