Another petition filed challenging Indo-Lanka Digital Identity deal

Colombo, August 22 (Daily Mirror) - National Freedom Front (NFF) leader and former Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa has filed a Fundamental Rights petition before the Supreme Court challenging the Cabinet decision to implement the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) Programme, which is funded through a grant from the Government of India.

The petitioner has cited the President, in his capacity as Minister of Digital Economy, the Prime Minister, the Cabinet of Ministers and several others as respondents.

The petitioner stated that two Cabinet decisions, dated January 27 and June 2, 2025, were made without informing Parliament or the public, and that these decisions approved sweeping amendments to the original 2022 MoU with India. 

The petitioner alleged that the amendments allow India to select and control the core technical infrastructure, including the Master System Integrator (MSI) and the biometric database software (MOSIP).

He further contended that by exposing Sri Lankan citizens’ data to foreign entities without adequate safeguards, the respondents have created a situation in which every citizen is vulnerable to irreparable harm from identity theft and misuse of personal data.

The petition is to be supported by Farman Cassim PC, assisted by Budwin Siriwardena.