Digital Government
Foundational Projects under Digital Government are integral initiatives aimed at promoting innovation, enhancing operational efficiency, and driving strategic growth. They serve as the cornerstone for realizing the long-term vision of improving the nation’s digital infrastructure and capabilities. These projects provide a dedicated platform for the identification, initiation, management, and scaling of critical programs essential to transforming the digital landscape. By establishing a solid foundation, these initiatives enable the nation to align its operations with broader national objectives and adapt to evolving technological demands.
The primary objective of Foundational Projects is to create a sustainable framework that empowers the nation to explore emerging opportunities in the digital domain, ensuring its competitiveness and adaptability in an increasingly technology-driven world. These projects focus on optimizing resource utilization through better integration and coordination of efforts, leading to streamlined processes and more efficient use of public and private sector assets. Moreover, they play a crucial role in fostering collaboration among stakeholders, driving technological advancements, and promoting inclusive growth across all sectors of the economy.
Objectives
1. Initiate the Implementation of the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) project in collaboration with the Department for Registration of Persons (DRP) to ensure:
- The establishment of a National Register of Persons with biographic, biometric, and family data.
- The issuance of National Identity Cards.
- The establishment of identity authentication, verification, and information sharing with potential government and non-government services.
2.Modernize administrative and operational functions to create a more responsive and future-ready ecosystem, thereby enhancing the efficiency, accessibility, and transparency of eRL 2.0 services through the strategic use of technology and data.
3.Finalize blueprints to:
- Provide an enterprise-level cloud hosting infrastructure facility for government organizations to store, process, integrate, and share data as a secure, scalable, and efficient service (Lanka Government Cloud III).
- Provide secure, high-speed, and robust connectivity among government organizations to access multiple applications, thereby increasing the efficiency of work (Lanka Government Network).
- The establishment of identity authentication, verification, and information sharing with potential government and non-government services.
4. Establish the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) function to facilitate the required technical inputs for ongoing and future digital transformation, infrastructure, and policy-level initiatives, with a streamlined management and operational structure to achieve its goals and objectives.
Impact on Society:
a. Digital Identity Platform:
a. Provides secure, verifiable, and scalable digital identities for citizens and organizations, enabling seamless access to multiple government and private sector services through a single, standardized identity system.
- Citizens can access healthcare, education, social benefits, and financial services with a single ID.
- Elimination of duplicate or fake identities ensures resource allocation to genuine beneficiaries.
- Simplified verification processes reduce time and costs for organizations.
b. Empowers citizens with secure identities, fosters inclusivity, and streamlines access to essential services, thereby enhancing overall trust in digital governance.
b. Modernized Government IT Infrastructure:
a. Facilitates secure, scalable, and efficient data storage, processing, and sharing through cloud hosting, ensuring improved service delivery and operational efficiency for government organizations.
- Shared cloud infrastructure reduces duplication of IT investments.
- Centralized data storage safeguards critical information.
- Flexible resources accommodate growing demands.
c. Interconnected Governance:
a. Enhances service delivery and reduces redundancy by ensuring secure, high-speed, and reliable connectivity among government organizations.
- Improved communication enables seamless data exchange.
- Reduced delays in inter-agency workflows.
Key Initiatives:
1. Digital Government/ Government Projects
Ongoing initiatives
a. eRevenue Licence System (eRL 2.0) – Facilitates to issue/ renew vehicle revenue licences of the registered vehicles through online and over the counter at the Provincial Department of Motor Traffic and the Divisional Secretariat Offices island wide, while facilitates citizen to obtain the licences at any location irrespective of the Provice which the vehicle is originally registered.
Future initiatives
a. Consent based Data Sharing: National Data Sharing Platform (NDX) – unified data sharing platform enabling secure and consent based data exchange across multiple stakeholders.
b. Document Sharing: Document Management Platform (DigiLocker) – providing access to authentic digital documents on a secure cloud based platform for storage, sharing and verification of documents and certificates.
c. Geospatial Data Platforms: National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) – common repository of spatial data for planning and implementation construction, agriculture, disaster management, etc.
d. Other Platforms: SMS Gateway, e-Services Platform, email, etc. – common services to enhance the communication, notification and feedback among multiple stakeholders.
Line of Business Solutions
(1) Integrated Land Management System – “e-Land” System (Registrar General’s Department of Sri Lanka)
The eLand Project is a key initiative started under e-Sri Lanka Development Initiative and continued under Investment Climate Reform Programme and Registering Property Task Force under the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka's since year 2016, aiming at modernizing land administration and management using digital technologies. The Project seeks to streamline land-related services, improve transparency, and enhance citizen access to critical information about land ownership, transactions, and property registrations.
Key Objectives of the eLand Project
- Digitizing land-related records, deeds, and surveys to create a centralized database for easy retrieval and management.
- Simplifying processes such as land registration, title verification, and ownership transfers to reduce bureaucratic delays.
- Implementing secure digital workflows to minimize human intervention, reducing the risk of manipulation and fraud in land transactions
- Providing citizens, businesses, and government agencies online access to land-related information, ensuring transparency and reducing disputes.
- Enhancing the efficiency of property tax assessments and collections through accurate and updated digital records.
1. Digital Transformation of Land Records
2. Streamlining Land Transactions
3. Improving Accessibility and Transparency
4. Strengthening Revenue Collection
Features of the eLand Project
1. Centralized Land Information System
- A comprehensive, nationwide database storing all land-related information, accessible to relevant stakeholders.
2. Online Services
- Facilities such as applying for land ownership documents, verifying property titles, and making payments for land-related services.
3. Integration with Other Government Systems
- Links with systems like the National Land Use Policy database and eRevenue systems for improved coordination.
4. Public Accessibility
- Citizens can access land-related data online via secure portals, eliminating the need for physical visits to government offices.
Expected Benefits of the eLand Project
1. For Citizens:
- Faster and more convenient access to land-related services.
- Reduced legal disputes due to accurate and updated land records.
- Increased transparency in land dealings, ensuring trust in the system.
2. For Businesses
- Simplified processes for acquiring and verifying land titles, boosting investor confidence.
- Support for real estate development through efficient access to land data.
3. For Government
- Enhanced revenue generation through efficient tax assessments.
- Improved governance and planning through access to accurate land information.
- Reduction in administrative workload due to digital workflows.
4. For Society
- Reduction in land-related conflicts and corruption.
- Equitable access to land services for rural and urban populations.
- Better land use management for sustainable development.
(2) National Valuation System – National Asset Valuation Department
The National Valuation System is a critical initiative undertaken by Sri Lanka's National Asset Valuation Department to modernize and streamline property valuation processes for taxation, asset management, and public sector planning. This is also an initiative started under Registering Property Task force in collaboration with National Asset Valuation Department for Property Valuation in Land Transactions
Key Objectives of the National Valuation System
1. Standardizing Valuation Processes
- Establishing uniform valuation methodologies for properties, ensuring fairness and consistency.
2. Enhancing Revenue Collection
- Providing accurate valuations for property taxes and land-use fees to boost government revenue.
3. Streamlining Government Asset Management
- Enabling efficient management of public sector assets by maintaining a comprehensive valuation database.
4. Facilitating Economic Development
- Supporting real estate, infrastructure development, and urban planning through timely and accurate property valuations.
(3) Stamp Duty Calculation System – Western province Revenue Department
The Stamp Duty Calculation System is a digital initiative implemented by the Western Province Revenue Department in Sri Lanka to streamline and automate the calculation and collection of stamp duty for land transactions.
Key Objectives of the Stamp Duty Calculation System
1. Automating Stamp Duty Calculations
- Providing accurate and quick stamp duty calculations for transactions such as property transfers, leases, and agreements.
2. Enhancing Revenue Collection
- Ensuring timely and accurate payment of stamp duty, reducing revenue losses caused by underpayments or delays.
3. Improving Transparency
- Creating a transparent system to minimize disputes and eliminate the risk of corruption in manual processes.
4. Convenient Access for Citizens and Businesses
- Enabling easy access to stamp duty-related services through online platforms.
5. Integration with Other Systems
- Streamlining operations by linking the Stamp Duty Calculation System with land registries, banks, and tax systems.
Features of the Stamp Duty Calculation System
1. Online Stamp Duty Calculator
- A web-based tool that allows users to calculate stamp duty instantly by entering transaction details (e.g., property value, type of agreement).
2. Digital Payment Options
- Online payment gateways enable citizens and businesses to pay stamp duty conveniently, avoiding physical visits to offices.
3. Real-Time Receipt Generation
- Automated generation of digital receipts and certificates for proof of stamp duty payment.
4. Integration with Land Registries
- Automatic sharing of stamp duty payment data with land registries for seamless property transaction processing.
Expected Outcomes of the Stamp Duty Calculation System
1. For Citizens and Businesses
- Faster Transactions: Reduced processing time for property transfers, leases, and other agreements.
- Cost Savings: Eliminates unnecessary expenses related to intermediaries and physical travel.
- Transparency: Clear calculations and payment processes build trust in the system.
2. For the Government
- Increased Revenue: Accurate stamp duty assessments reduce underpayments and enhance revenue collection.
- Efficiency: Digital workflows minimize manual errors and administrative overhead.
- Compliance: Automation ensures adherence to legal and regulatory requirements.
3. For Society
- Reduced Corruption: Transparency in calculations and payments discourages fraudulent activities.
- Enhanced Public Trust: A fair and efficient system improves trust in government institutions.
4. Integration with Land Registries
ETF Board Core System
The ETF (Employees' Trust Fund) Board Core System is a comprehensive digital platform designed to modernize the management and administration of the Employees' Trust Fund in Sri Lanka. This system aims to improve operational efficiency, ensure accurate contributions and disbursements, and provide better services to both employers and employees.
Key Objectives of the ETF Board Core System
1. Efficient Contribution Management
- Automating the collection, processing, and reconciliation of monthly contributions from employers.
2. Enhanced Member Services
- Providing employees easy access to their ETF account details, including balances, contributions, and withdrawals.
3. Improved Transparency and Accountability
- Ensuring accurate record-keeping and reducing errors in fund management.
4. Streamlining Employer Compliance
- Simplifying the reporting and payment processes for employers to ensure timely compliance with ETF regulations.
5. Data Integration and Analysis
- Centralizing member and employer data for analytics, policy-making, and fraud prevention.
Features of the ETF Board Core System
1. Centralized Member Database
- A unified database storing comprehensive information about employees, including personal details, contributions, and withdrawal history.
2. Employer Portal
- A user-friendly online portal for employers to submit contributions, upload employee details, and generate payment receipts.
3. Member Self-Service Portal
- Employees can log in to view their account information, download statements, and apply for withdrawals.
4. Automated Contribution Processing
- Digitally validates employer-submitted data, calculates contributions, and allocates funds to individual accounts.
5. Integration with Banks
- Facilitates seamless online payments and reconciliations through integration with banking systems.
For more information, contact: digigov@icta.lk