The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva
Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva urged that the proposed digital ID system be developed into a broader “Sri Lanka Stack” similar to India Stack, enabling consent-based digital verification and linked public and private services. He noted concerns about new taxes on software, the need for customized foundational ID services, proper vendor procurement, and legislative changes to support digital infrastructure. He also called for regulation of cross-border e-commerce, including clearing channels and de minimis rules, while expressing support for a MOSIP-based foundational ID under the Ministry of Digital Economy.
Verbatim record (translated)
Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English¶ 01 Thank you.
¶ 02 Another matter: once we build this system, we should not stop at the ID. We must develop a Sri Lanka Stack, as India did with India Stack. Hon. Deputy Minister, everyone knows India Stack—DigiLocker, digital signatures, income-tax interfaces—so people can, under their consent, allow verification for transactions. This presents big opportunities, domestic and cross-border. Alongside India Stack, we should develop a Sri Lanka Stack.
¶ 03 I will take two minutes and finish. Because of the Budget, I must also note: new taxes are being applied to software; time is short to discuss. Beyond integration, the foundational ID must be customized; services must be built on top of authentication and verification; vendors must be procured properly. But given current ground realities, questions arise.
¶ 04 One more point: when we build digital infrastructure, pay attention to cross-border e-commerce. We get constant messages on our phones about various online marketplaces selling big-ticket items. Many are unregistered; there is no proper cross-border e-commerce clearing channel or de minimis structure. Even with strong technology and intent, we need multiple legislative changes. We have no objection to such changes. Let us unite to enact them, stop parallel systems and waste, and support the MOSIP-based foundational ID under the Ministry of Digital Economy.
¶ 05 Thank you.
Provenance
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- Hansard, Tuesday, 11 March 2025 ·No. 1743759139093629 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 11 March 2025. No. 1743759139093629. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/18982