The Registrar General’s Department, one of Sri Lanka’s oldest state institutions, marked its 161st anniversary with the launch of a new call center and a modernized official website yesterday (7).
The initiative was held under the patronage of Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Professor Chandana Abayarathne, with the aim of improving and modernizing public services. The new system includes the dedicated “1930” hotline and a user-friendly website, accessible in Sinhala, Tamil, and English.
Speaking at the event, the Minister emphasized the importance of digitalization in addressing current challenges and noted that the initiative supports the government’s broader goal of digitizing public services. He also highlighted that the new system will enable citizens to access services from home, reducing the need to travel and wait in queues.
Deputy Minister Ruwan Senarath stated that the Registrar General’s Department plays a vital role in preserving citizens’ legal identity from birth to death. Officials also pointed out that the new system aims to reduce reliance on intermediaries by providing direct and accurate information, thereby minimizing fraud and ensuring transparency.
The call center and website are also expected to assist Sri Lankans living abroad with matters related to birth registration, marriage, and property. The project, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is seen as a step towards a new phase of digital transformation in Sri Lanka’s public administration.
Senior officials of the Ministry and the Department were also present at the event.
