தவறவிடாதீர்கள்..!உடனே பதிவு செய்யுங்கள்

Sri Lanka's Unique Digital Identity (SL-UDI) project, developed with Indian assistance, is ready for launch, with only a few formalities remaining before its official rollout, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha announced yesterday.

Speaking at the inauguration of the DISHA Mentorship Programme 2026, organised by India's National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) in Colombo, Jha described the SL-UDI initiative as "not merely a technology project, but a nation-building project."

He commended Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne and Senior Presidential Advisor on Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya for their leadership, stating that the project would serve as the foundation of Sri Lanka's digital economy.

Jha said a trusted digital identity for every citizen would transform social inclusion from a policy objective into a practical reality while enabling fintech, e-commerce and digital government services to expand rapidly.

Highlighting the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI), he called for stronger India-Sri Lanka cooperation, noting that AI is reshaping businesses and allowing smaller organisations to compete globally.

He stressed that collaboration, knowledge-sharing and openness are essential as the technology evolves rapidly. He added that both countries possess strong AI talent pools and said initiatives such as the DISHA programme provide an ideal platform for entrepreneurs and innovators to work together. Jha also reflected on the strengthening partnership between NASSCOM and Sri Lanka. He recalled that a NASSCOM delegation led by CEO Rajesh Nambiar visited Colombo in December last year despite adverse weather conditions, describing the visit as a reaffirmation of India's commitment to Sri Lanka.

He further noted that a Sri Lankan delegation led by Deputy Minister Weeraratne participated in the NASSCOM Technology and Leadership Forum in India in February 2025, saying such exchanges between governments and industries help strengthen long-term bilateral ties.

Thanking NASSCOM for selecting Sri Lanka as the first destination for the DISHA mentorship programme, Jha expressed confidence that it would help 28 Sri Lankan technology SMEs enhance their capabilities and accelerate innovation through guidance from Indian mentors.