Harsha battles with Deputy Minister over poly-carbonate card purchase

26 November 2025 06:05 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 6 Bookmark

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By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

Colombo, Nov. 26 (Daily Mirror)- Opposition MP Harsha de Silva and Deputy Minister of Digital Technology Eranga Weeraratne engaged in an argument over the tender put out to purchase poly-carbonate cards for the new digital national identity cards.

Dr. De Silva alleged that a tender which was put out to procure 15 million poly-carbonate cards has been closed yesterday.

"Why do you want to purchase cards if you are planning to go for a digitalisation process?" de Silva questioned.

Also, he said India does not use cards for its Aadhaar system.

Deputy Minister Weeraratne who responded said only five million cards will be purchased though the tender has been called for 15 million. Also, he said a card is necessary for a person to prove his or her identity, especially to the police.

Comments - 6

M Fernando Wednesday, 26 November 2025 06:51 PM

A digital ID is a stupid idea. Nothing digital is ever truly safe. A physical ID has served us well all these years and there is no reason to change (except the possibility of commissions)

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Out with the Old Wednesday, 26 November 2025 09:47 PM

But it worked in India?

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joshua Wednesday, 26 November 2025 09:35 PM

harsha's losing battles.

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Ganesh Wednesday, 26 November 2025 11:42 PM

What’s the use of a digital ID if the police and public services that need them the most cannot read what’s on it. We are truly backwards in our thinking we certainly know how to plan to fail. As usual put cart before the horse.

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Dr Tissa Fernando Thursday, 27 November 2025 01:05 AM

A physical card is required in Sri Lanka, It is even provided in the USA, Canada snd other western countries or almost everywhere, digitalisation does not mean that everyone sjoukd carry a smart phone with them. In a digital system the physical card can be verified using a machine. One Purpose of digitalisation is to have a unique id for all sorts of transactions . Harsha has stepped on a tail of some stray dog.

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Jude Thursday, 27 November 2025 06:12 AM

Harsha trying to collect some brownie points!!

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