The Sri Lankan Department of Registration of Persons is starting its collection of fingerprints this year in a bid to issue 16.5 million electronic identity cards (eNICs) in 2016. However, a growing phobia surrounding the use of fingerprints has led to the government attempting to quell concerns.

Commissioner General of the Department of Registration of Persons, Sarath Kumara, said that: "Fingerprints will be taken solely to identify individuals and such details will not be exposed to unauthorised parties."

Elaborating further he said that fingerprints are already taken when issuing passports and driving licences. "Moreover, fingerprint machines are also widely in use amongst government and private sector organizations and many foreign countries," he added.

The new ID, comprising security features against tampering, counterfeiting and forgery, will include the person's photograph, bio data, fingerprints, and also blood group. It will also conform to relevant international standards, such as those from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

"This internationally accepted ID card could be considered as a sign of country's development and would definitely be a step to thwart illegitimate practices," Kumara pointed out.