Digital ID data fears grow as Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa warns biometric details could be exposed through a Rs. 40 billion foreign tender.
Digital ID data concerns have intensified after Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa warned that Sri Lanka’s biometric information could be placed at serious risk if the government revives a controversial tender involving an Indian company.
Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, Convener of the National Professional and Civil Front, said the government must clearly state its position regarding information now circulating about the Digital ID project.
He said reports suggest that the tender to prepare the Digital ID, a project strongly questioned by current President Anura Kumara Dissanayake when he was in opposition, may now be revived under the present government.
Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo, Dr. Sanjeewa said the project, valued at more than Rs. 40 billion, could expose the personal data of Sri Lankan citizens to major risk.
He warned that data trafficking has now become the world’s largest trafficking operation. Against that background, he said giving a foreign company the power to manage highly sensitive citizen data could create a serious national crisis.
According to him, the information involved could include blood types, fingerprints, iris scans, and other sensitive personal details of the people of Sri Lanka.
Dr. Sanjeewa said that in an era where the party controlling data becomes the most powerful actor in the world, allowing a third party to hold control over the sovereignty of the people is extremely dangerous.
He further said there is serious suspicion over whether the tender is being prepared to be awarded to an Indian company that has reportedly been blacklisted over questionable transactions in several countries.
Dr. Sanjeewa urged the government to immediately follow up on the matter, warning that there is a possibility of a serious financial fraud and irregularity similar to the controversial coal tender issue that created major public concern in the recent past.
He also argued that Sri Lanka already has the required technical and engineering capability to implement the Digital ID project.
In that context, he said, ignoring local expertise and handing such opportunities to foreign companies would be an injustice to the country’s intellectuals and professionals.
Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa further warned that if data fraud occurs in a project of this scale and cost, the damage may never be possible to correct again.
