Taking a significant step towards transforming Sri Lanka into a digital society, three new digital initiatives will be launched today (07) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The initiatives include:
- GovPay – A platform for digitalizing all government payments.
- Decentralized President’s Fund Services – Expanding the fund’s services from the main office in Colombo to Divisional Secretariats nationwide.
- Electronic Birth, Marriage, and Death Certificates (EBMD) – Enabling Sri Lankans abroad to obtain certified copies of these vital documents electronically through Sri Lankan diplomatic missions.
These services will be available starting today, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).
Digital Transformation to Enhance Efficiency
A media briefing on these initiatives was held yesterday (06) at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC), attended by senior officials, including Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Engineer Eranga Weeraratne; Secretary of the President’s Fund and Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage; Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, M.K. Padmanadan; Chairman of the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), Harsha Purasinghe; and Chief Executive Officer of Lanka Pay, Channa De Silva.
Speaking at the briefing, Deputy Minister Weeraratne emphasized that these digital initiatives align with President Dissanayake’s vision of a modern, technology-driven nation. He noted that cash-based payment systems have been prone to fraud and inefficiencies, which the GovPay platform aims to eliminate. Digital transactions will not only reduce corruption but also enhance transparency and convenience for the public, he added.
Expansion of President’s Fund Services
Established in 1978, the President’s Fund has traditionally processed applications only at its main office in Colombo. However, starting tomorrow, its services will be available at 341 regional secretariat offices across the country. Under the supervision of Divisional Secretaries, trained staff will handle registrations using new technology, said Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President. This expansion aims to improve accessibility and ensure that eligible recipients receive benefits efficiently.
Streamlined Services for Sri Lankans Abroad
As part of the government’s policy to provide more efficient services to Sri Lankans living overseas, the Electronic Birth, Marriage, and Death Certificates (EBMD) system will be introduced tomorrow. Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, M.K. Padmanadan, stated that this initiative will replace outdated manual processes by integrating consular offices with the Registrar General’s Department’s database, allowing immediate issuance of certified copies directly from Sri Lankan consulates.
Continuous Digitalization Efforts
Harsha Purasinghe, Chairman of ICTA, announced that details of government institutions offering the GovPay service will be available on www.GovPay.lk from 12 noon today (07). The government aims to continuously expand digital services, ultimately ensuring the digitalization of all public sector operations.
These landmark initiatives mark a crucial step in Sri Lanka’s journey towards a fully digital society, enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accessibility for citizens both locally and abroad.
