Colombo, April 8 -- The Cabinet has approved the purchase of Rs. 15 million worth of pre-printed polycarbonate cards for the issuing of National Identity Cards.

Cabinet spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said the proposal was submitted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as Minister of Digital Economy.

"There is a requirement of about 17 million cards for the issuing of new identity cards. The Department for Registration of Persons began using smart cards for National Identity Cards in 2017," he said.

Under the new methodology introduced by the Electronic National Identity Card Project, which will be implemented in the future, all Sri Lankan citizens who have completed the age of 15 will be required to re-register.

To meet ...