India gave Rs 45 crore to Sri Lanka for digital identity project

India has contributed Rs 45 crore to complete Sri Lanka's digital identity project, a crucial step in the nation's digitization efforts.

The funds were provided as part of India's grant assistance and officially received by the President's Office in Colombo on August 4, 2023.

• The High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Gopal Baglay, handed over the check during a ceremony at the President's Secretariat, where it was received by Sagala Ratnayaka, Chief of Presidential Staff, and Kanak Herath, Minister of State for Technology.

• This financial support from India constitutes 15 percent of the total project cost, significantly aiding its successful implementation. The unique digital identity initiative holds tremendous potential for Sri Lanka, promising to modernize administrative infrastructure and enhance citizen services.

• India's generous assistance reflects its commitment to helping Sri Lanka overcome its economic crisis. 

• As part of this commitment, India has provided financial and humanitarian aid amounting to $4 billion, making it the first lending country to offer financing assurances to initiate the IMF process, further strengthening the bilateral ties between the two nations.

Sri Lanka:

• Its old name is Ceylon.

• Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (administrative), Colombo (de facto capital of Sri Lanka with commercial centre)

• Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee

• President: Ranil Wickremesinghe

• Prime Minister: Dinesh Chandra Roopsinghe Gunawardene

• National Sport: Volleyball