NICs to be renewed every 10 years

5 March 2013 02:16 am - 23 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Department of Registration of Persons will make it compulsory for every adult to renew his or her national identity card every ten years to prevent misuse and facilitate easier identification, a senior official said.

Department of Registration of Persons Commissioner General R.M.S. Sarath Kumara said the department would be able to issue an electronic NIC on par with international standards containing the biometric data of the card holder.

“It is a well-known that facial appearance of a person changes as time goes on. Therefore, it is necessary to issue a new NIC every ten years. Most developed countries do not confront this problem as they issue electronic NICs with bio-metric technology which does not change with time. What we are trying to do is to renew NICs every ten years until we issue an electronic NIC for each and every Sri Lankan,” Mr. Kumara stressed.

He said the project has been launched and the collection of data has begun. The data collection will be done after grouping the citizens under 332 Divisional Secretariat Divisions. Each Divisional Secretariat Division would have a unit at the department.

Mr. Kumara said the department issued about one million NICs annually and had so far issued nearly 70 million NICs.

He said some Sri Lankans still have the NIC issued in 1972 and the picture cannot be identified even by close family members and when the picture did not tally with the current appearance of the card holder, the NIC becomes useless. It can also be used by unscrupulous people for illegal activities thus putting the card holder at risk. Therefore, the renewal of the NIC every ten years was extremely important. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)

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Comments - 23

IHM Tuesday, 05 March 2013 09:21 AM

Agree, Good move but need fine tune the process

Muni Wednesday, 06 March 2013 09:53 AM

Dear Mr. Kumara
I am also using a very old ID card. I twice try to get a new one but fail as I couldn't collect Form from Grama Sevaka for two Wednesdays losing my two half days. As far as I know after filling the form again I have to go to GS. this is very cumbersome. Could you pls, do something to ease the process. Another two half day leave (at least) is terrible for me.
Please do something as we also dont want to use bloody old cards. Thanks!

Lucky Weeramantry Wednesday, 06 March 2013 03:53 AM

Another Burden On The Poor.

Vishali Wednesday, 06 March 2013 02:21 AM

Life span is three score and a ten as per Bible. Please exempt persons over 70 years as they cannot bear the ordeals in receiving new 'Iding'

gamini Tuesday, 05 March 2013 12:00 AM

sri Lanka is heading towards a big brother type society. too bad no one is noticing that. via DM Android App

realist Tuesday, 05 March 2013 12:16 PM

The ID allows him to build without approvals? Isn't that a failure of the Municipality?

Lanka Citizen Tuesday, 05 March 2013 11:47 AM

This is a very good move, the government must make every 5 years ro renew their IDs.

Mushi Tuesday, 05 March 2013 12:00 AM

Well done! Better if made every five years bcos people change residence profession often. via DM Android App

admetus Tuesday, 05 March 2013 10:28 AM

Just collect the money and save time and paper

sobers Tuesday, 05 March 2013 10:11 AM

Technology is advanced, we have a large and lethargic public service, it's better for the concerned officials to visit homes, take necessary information and issue them with ID, without the eligible citizens wasting their time in government offices. This is real public service if they adhere.

Fair N Square Tuesday, 05 March 2013 09:52 AM

well said. I know of a guy, a Canadian citizen who is using his SL id to buy property for re-sale and also buy n sell cars. He never paid taxes for 12 years, to make matters worse, he builds without Cic's and rent the buildings...

ranaweera Tuesday, 05 March 2013 09:22 AM

I remember how much of time i need to spend for new id card last year.It took almost month to have it after all the paper work.Hence unless government come up with efficient system it will be just anther scheme to grab money form general public like mooter vehicle emission testing.

MagodisThuma Tuesday, 05 March 2013 03:08 AM

Make it one year...Govt can collect more money ?

JAYPEE Tuesday, 05 March 2013 08:25 AM

At least now design some thing looks good and International class

Siriyo Tuesday, 05 March 2013 08:11 AM

mona hath illouwwakda me?

Jayasiri Tuesday, 05 March 2013 08:07 AM

Must change the time it takes to get the ID at department. Usuallly it takes a whole day at the Deprtment of Persons to get the ID for one day service.

Antharjala Veeraya Tuesday, 05 March 2013 07:55 AM

Why not just charge the amount one in 10 years and save all the trouble of printing.

Nodrog Tuesday, 05 March 2013 07:24 AM

...at great inconvenience to the public.

Agnnes Lilliehook Tuesday, 05 March 2013 07:13 AM

It is a good move .Those who do not have dual citizenship using the old ID to do many buisness in Sri lanka without paying tax to the country.AL

JC Tuesday, 05 March 2013 06:29 AM

not ony ID's there are many things in the country need to be renuwed......@ very first is our attidute, anyway it is a good move but try to release it without pulling your dept drawers.

Hamden Tuesday, 05 March 2013 05:49 AM

"So far issued nearly 70 million NICs." What is the period of time for this much?

Also we only have less than 0 million approx. and why does it take so long to make it Electronic NICs? We know other countries with larger population have already had this several decades ago.

Silmiya Pura Tuesday, 05 March 2013 05:15 AM

Good move.

fox Tuesday, 05 March 2013 03:17 AM

Wish there is no any charges on same...

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NICs to be renewed every 10 years

Comments - 23

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