The Burden of Bureaucracy in Sri Lanka’s Digital Era

Despite the much-touted digitalisation of the economy, Sri Lanka seems to be moving further away from the promised paperless, cashless future. Instead of simplifying business processes, we are witnessing an increasing number of bureaucratic hurdles that make the ease of doing business more difficult.  

Decades ago, when literacy rates were lower, a simple fingerprint sufficed to authorize documents. Today, not only is this requirement still in place but made mandatory for all transactions relating to property, apart from additional layers of complexity such as submission of photographs of signatories, national identity card, two witnesses and legal attestation. If an individual lacks thumbs, any finger will do—and if they have no fingers, the law permits using toes. In a lighter vein, just imagine a situation of having to carry an ink pad and finally end up with a soiled finger and maybe your clothes.

A G Weerasinghe