Senior Sri Lankan officials have confirmed that new National Identity Cards will be issued to all before the end of 2017.A proposal made by Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs Minister S.B. Navinna to plan and implement the programme with regard to the issue of an Electronic National Identity Card in two years has been approved by the cabinet.The process towards the establishment of the National Register of Persons and to issue an Electronic National Identity Card, with the authority vested in the Department of Registration of Persons by the Registration of Persons Act No 32 of 1968, had been delayed due to various technical reasons.Last September, The Sri Lankan Department of Registration of Persons started its collection of fingerprints this year in a bid to issue 16.5 million electronic identity cards (eNICs) in 2016. However, a growing phobia surrounding the use of fingerprints has led to the government attempting to quell concerns.The new ID, comprising security features against tampering, counterfeiting and forgery, will include the person's photograph, bio data, fingerprints, and also blood group. It will also conform to relevant international standards, such as those from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

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