The Department for Registration of Persons (DRP) had decided to suspend issuing National Identity Cards under one-day service scheme from tomorrow until further notice, DRP Commissioner-General Viyani Gunathilaka said.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, he said the decision was taken to control the COVID-19 pandemic spreading in the department premises.

He requested people to hand over their completed applications to the relevant Grama Niladharis. 

However, priority would be given to those who want their IDs under urgent circumstances. To avail that, the applicant should mention the reason with the certification of the Grama Niladharis and hand them over to the respective District Secretariat offices. 

"People cannot visit the DRP to hand over their applications. No decision had been taken to close the DRP office. The jobs which are already in the process would be completed during this period and measures would be taken to send them by post. (Chaturanga Samawickrama)