The Cabinet has approved the integration of public sector information technology systems to improve the efficiency and quality of public services.
In a statement, the Department of Government Information (DGI) emphasized the necessity of integrating IT systems across public institutions, including corporations and statutory boards. This integration aims to enhance service delivery by verifying information and minimizing data duplication, thereby boosting overall efficiency and quality.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe, as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies, presented the proposal, which addresses four key issues related to IT system and data management integration across government institutions. The approved measures include:
- Mandatory use of national identity card (NIC) numbers for identifying Sri Lankan citizens over 15 years of age.
- Mandatory use of passport numbers for identifying foreigners.
- Mandatory use of business registration numbers, NIC numbers of owners/members of the board of directors, and passport numbers of foreign members.
- Standardization of data to facilitate the formal transfer of relevant information between government institutions.
These measures are intended to streamline operations and improve the effectiveness of public services through better data management and system integration.
