Sri Lanka outlines digitalization reforms in 2026 budget

COLOMBO, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka has announced a series of measures to strengthen digitalization and modernization of public administration under the 2026 national budget presented in Parliament on Friday.

According to President and Finance Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the government's focus for 2026 is to enhance service delivery, increase efficiency, and strengthen transparency in public sector operations.

A total of 30 billion Sri Lankan rupees (98 million U.S. dollars) has been set aside for major national digital initiatives such as the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity project, the e-Grama Niladhari platform, and the Digital Economy Advancement Program. These projects are expected to support the creation of a centralized and secure digital framework to facilitate efficient communication and service coordination across government agencies.

The government also plans to expand electronic procurement and payment systems to improve fiscal management and minimize manual procedures. In the area of revenue administration, the budget includes provisions to upgrade the Revenue Administration Management Information System and expand its integration with other state agencies.

The budget further provides for capacity development and training for public officials to support the transition to digital workflows and enhance service standards in provincial and local government offices.

Presenting the budget, Dissanayake said that the modernization efforts will contribute to building a people-friendly public service and support the country's administrative reform goals.■