The official launch of the Digital Identity Card which was organized by the Department of Pensions was held on October 9, 2014, at Pensioners ’Resort in Wedamulla, Kelaniya to mark the Pensioners’ Day.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa , the Chief Guest of the occasion, launched the country’s first ever Digital Identity Card for senior citizens who have made a life-time and substantial contribution to Sri Lankan economy.
Saman Herath—Senior Deputy General Manager of Sampath Bank—officially handed over a replica of the Digital Identity Card to the President. Over 3000 pensioners attended the event. Over 600,000 pensioners in the country are expected to benefit from the Digital Identity Card in their banking transactions.
Sampath Bank is expecting to issue the Digital Identity Card to the senior citizens in the near future who reside in diverse parts of the country through its extensive network of branches.
Depending on the requirement, biometric details of pensioners also can be included in the card which will immensely help the pensioners, and the Department would also add WNOP details, medical history which can be used in emergencies such as obtaining medical treatments.
As a measure to further streamline the pension payment and also to facilitate direct coordination with the Head Office of the Department of Pensions, Sampath Bank will provide the Department of Pensions with 25 computers. The computers will be distributed among Government Agents’ offices, facilitating direct coordination with the Head Office of the Department of Pensions in making pension payments.
