Waruni Jayathunga
The initial step in the digitalisation of government services, ‘GovPay’, will be officially launched under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Friday (7).
This platform is expected to streamline and modernise transactions conducted through government institutions, enabling seamless and secure transactions through an efficient digital system, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.
The Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) has been leading the digitalisation efforts, implementing a range of programmes designed to enhance e-governance and promote digital literacy. ICTA’s efforts include the Sri Lanka National Digital Identity Programme, which is focused on creating a digital ID system that can be used for secure online transactions and accessing public services.
India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) system serves as a key example of how robust digital platforms can enable efficient public service delivery.
India’s system, which includes Aadhaar (a biometric digital identity), UPI (Unified Payments Interface), and IndiaStack (a suite of open APIs for digital services), has revolutionised how Indian citizens access government services, from welfare benefits to financial transactions.
By integrating GovPay into the broader digital infrastructure, Sri Lanka seeks to replicate some of the successes of India’s system, offering seamless payment solutions, reducing transaction costs, and increasing trust in government services.
