Sri Lanka has taken a significant leap in modernizing government services by rolling out ‘digital government forms,’ a pioneering solution allowing citizens to complete necessary paperwork and access services online from the comfort of their homes.
The initiative, led by the Sri Lanka Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), enables individuals to utilize this digital platform using devices like computers, mobile phones, and tablets from any location.
Initially launched in 2022 across nine government institutions as a pilot project, this innovation has drastically reduced the need for citizens to physically visit government offices, streamlining the process of obtaining, filling, and submitting forms.
By facilitating remote access to government services, this transformation promises considerable time and cost savings for the public. The move is geared toward fostering citizen-centric services, ensuring the security of sensitive data, and preventing exposure of personal information while enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of public sector services.
The shift toward digital forms not only streamlines service provision but also champions environmental sustainability by reducing paper usage. Additionally, it alleviates the administrative burden associated with managing, safeguarding, and storing physical documents within public services.
Moreover, this digitalization effort enhances data accuracy by directly sourcing necessary citizen information, affirming its reliability and authenticity. This groundbreaking advancement marks a significant stride in leveraging technology to improve government-citizen interactions while upholding data security and efficiency.