SRI LANKA - National Data Exchange (NDX)

This video details Sri Lanka’s initiative to establish a National Data Exchange (NDX) as a core component of its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). Presented by Janaka Sampath Geekiyanage from the Ministry of Technology, it outlines the problems caused by siloed government data systems and the benefits of adopting an interoperable, whole-of-government approach. The information provides insight into how DPI principles are being applied to improve public service delivery and reduce the burden on citizens.

Synthesized Summary

Sri Lanka’s government agencies have historically operated in silos, forcing citizens to repeatedly submit the same identity documents (like birth certificates, often needing recent copies) for various services such as obtaining national identity cards (NIC), passports, driving licenses, or school admissions [01:19, 03:43]. This creates significant inefficiency and burden for citizens. Recognizing this, the Ministry of Technology, leading the country’s digital transformation, initiated the National Data Exchange (NDX) project [00:16, 02:18].

The NDX aims to establish interoperability between different government departments using a whole-of-government approach, inspired by global best practices like Estonia’s X-Road and leveraging partnerships with organizations like DPGA and India’s MOSIP platform [02:13, 02:57, 04:45]. The ultimate goal is to enable seamless data sharing, allowing verification to happen internally between departments and creating a single-window experience for citizens accessing services [02:27, 18:10]. Key stakeholders involved include the ICTA, Sri Lanka CERT, the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRCSL), the newly established Data Protection Authority, UNDP, and the Prime Minister’s Office via Citra Labs [00:34 - 01:06, 10:47]. While challenges like infrastructure limitations, budget constraints, data security concerns, and user adoption exist, the NDX is seen as crucial for improving government efficiency, reducing duplication, and making services more citizen-centric [06:00, 23:52, 27:14].

Key Learnings & Recommendations

• Problem: Citizens are burdened by needing to provide the same identity and education documents repeatedly to different government agencies, often requiring certified copies less than six months old [01:19, 01:47].
• Root Cause: Government departments operate in silos, collecting data independently and often not sharing it, leading to duplication and inefficiency [01:58, 03:43, 05:54].
• Solution: Sri Lanka is establishing a National Data Exchange (NDX) to facilitate interoperability and secure data sharing between government entities [02:18, 04:09].
• Approach: The NDX initiative follows a whole-of-government strategy, aiming to connect various departments and enable seamless service delivery [02:13].
• Benefit: The NDX aims to reduce the burden on citizens by implementing principles like “Ask Once,” where data provided to one agency can be verified internally by others, moving towards single-window service access [02:27, 17:51, 18:25].
• Governance: The Ministry of Technology leads the digital transformation, coordinating with key agencies like ICTA (implementation), CERT (cybersecurity), TRCSL (telecom regulation), and the Data Protection Authority [00:16, 00:34, 00:56].
• Collaboration: Sri Lanka leverages international knowledge, partnerships (DPGA, UNDP, World Bank, Gates Foundation), and best practices (Estonia’s X-Road, India’s MOSIP/Aadhaar) to inform its DPI development [02:57, 04:45, 07:57, 10:47, 13:39, 32:00].
• Adoption is Key: Technical implementation alone is insufficient; strong adoption mechanisms and user training are critical for success, as demonstrated by the successful Fuel Pass system [27:14, 28:43].
• Challenges: Key hurdles include infrastructural limitations (network connectivity, especially broadband), limited government budgets, ensuring data security and privacy, and overcoming resistance to change and ensuring user adoption [23:52, 25:13, 26:25, 27:14, 28:08].

Key Questions Addressed or Raised

• Addressed:
  • What are the DPI use cases being implemented (document verification, NDX)? [01:16]
  • What needs in public services does the DPI approach aim to solve? [03:40]
  • What is the speaker’s role in Sri Lanka’s DPI implementation? [06:31]
  • Who are the key stakeholders and their roles? [00:34, 09:35]
  • How does the NDX process benefit citizens? [19:52]
  • What challenges are faced in implementing the DPI approach? [23:49]
  • What are suggestions for other countries evaluating DPI? [30:31]
• Raised (Implicitly):
  • How can government effectively ensure widespread adoption of new DPI systems among both officials and citizens?
  • How can data security and privacy concerns be adequately addressed to build trust in data-sharing initiatives?
  • What strategies are most effective for securing funding and resources for large-scale DPI projects, especially amid economic constraints?

Stated or Implied Applications

• Streamlining applications for National Identity Cards (NIC), passports, and driving licenses [01:35].
• Simplifying the school admission process [01:39].
• Reducing the need for citizens to physically submit certified copies of documents like birth certificates [01:30, 17:41].
• Enabling a “single window” for citizens to access various government services [02:27].
• Improving overall efficiency of government operations and reducing duplication of effort and resource wastage [06:00, 14:50].
• Facilitating data sharing across various government domains (e.g., agriculture, tax, health, education, justice, transport) [05:07].
• Managing resource allocation effectively, as seen in the Fuel Pass system during the economic crisis [19:55].

Key Terminology Defined

• NDX (National Data Exchange): A platform being established in Sri Lanka to enable interoperability and data sharing between government departments [Title, 02:18, 04:09].
• DPI (Digital Public Infrastructure): The underlying digital systems (identity, payments, data exchange) enabling efficient service delivery [Implied, 01:16, 02:44, 30:38].
• ICTA (Information Communication Technology Agency): A key stakeholder agency under the Ministry of Technology involved in implementation [00:40].
• CERT (Computer Emergency Readiness Team): The agency responsible for cybersecurity aspects [00:44].
• TRCSL (Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka): The regulatory body for telecommunications, relevant for connectivity [00:47, 24:40].
• Data Protection Authority: Recently established authority under the Ministry of Technology to oversee data protection, operational from March (next year relative to video date) [00:59].
• Whole-of-government approach: A strategy involving collaboration and integration across all relevant government departments, rather than siloed efforts [02:13, 19:02].
• Interoperability: The ability of different government systems and departments to exchange and use data seamlessly [02:21, 33:08].
• Ask Once Policy: The principle that citizens should only need to provide their information once to the government, with subsequent verifications handled internally through data exchange [17:51].
• DPGA (Digital Public Goods Alliance): An international alliance promoting digital public goods, with which Sri Lanka has a membership [02:59].
• MOSIP (Modular Open Source Identity Platform): An open-source platform leveraged for Sri Lanka’s Unique Digital Identity project, with support from India [03:09, 32:11].
• SLUDI (Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity): The national digital identity project being implemented [03:06, 32:00].
• Citra Labs: A social innovation lab, a joint venture between UNDP Sri Lanka and the Prime Minister’s Office, supporting digital transformation [10:58].

Timestamped Outline / Chapters

• [00:00] Introduction - Co-Develop / DPI Exemplar Stories Branding
• [00:07] Speaker Introduction: Janaka Sampath Geekiyanage, Ministry of Technology, Sri Lanka
• [01:16] Question: DPI use cases - document verification and National Data Exchange?
• [01:19] Problem: Repetitive document submission by citizens, siloed departments.
• [02:13] Solution: Whole-of-government approach, National Data Exchange (NDX) for interoperability.
• [02:43] Influence: DPI concept, DPGA membership, India/MOSIP collaboration.
• [03:40] Question: Needs in Sri Lanka public services that DPI aims to solve?
• [03:43] Problem: Siloed departments, lack of data sharing, duplication.
• [04:08] Solution: NDX as the mechanism for data sharing.
• [04:33] Need for data sharing policy.
• [04:40] Learning from global best practices (Estonia X-Road).
• [05:05] Identifying key domains for NDX (Agriculture, Tax, Health, etc.).
• [06:31] Question: Speaker’s role in Sri Lanka’s DPI implementation?
• [06:34] Role: Directing government organizations towards a whole-of-government approach, promoting DPI, contributing to strategy (National Digital Economy Strategy 2030).
• [09:35] Question: Key stakeholders and their roles?
• [09:38] Stakeholders: Ministries (Agriculture, Justice, etc.), Secretaries, Directors, Donor Agencies (UNDP, PMO/Citra Labs).
• [12:08] Importance of awareness and addressing resistance.
• [13:31] Example: Agriculture domain project with Gates Foundation support.
• [15:09] Question: Most effective methods for convincing departments?
• [15:12] Approach: Making departments aware of the macro-level issues and benefits of collaboration, showing how NDX reduces citizen burden.
• [17:51] Mention of “Ask Once” policy.
• [18:10] Internal verification vs. citizen submission.
• [19:52] Question: How does this process benefit citizens?
• [19:55] Example: Fuel Pass system success during economic crisis (reduced queues, managed distribution, reduced expenditure).
• [21:01] Other DPI examples: Lanka Government Network (LGN), Lanka Government Cloud (LGC), Government Information Centre (1919).
• [23:49] Question: Challenges faced by the government?
• [23:52] Challenges: Infrastructure limitations (connectivity), data security/privacy, budget constraints, user adoption/training, lack of adaptation strategy, overcoming vendor lock-in.
• [30:31] Question: Suggestions for other countries evaluating DPI?
• [30:37] Suggestions: Adapt DPI to specific context, learn from global best practices/experiences, ensure strong implementation/adoption strategy, consider PPPs, invest in capacity building, focus on user-centric design, align with SDGs, work with donors.
• [35:18] End Screen & Credits

Related Resources Mentioned

• Estonia X-Road: Mentioned as a global best practice for data exchange [04:45].
• MOSIP (Modular Open Source Identity Platform): Leveraged for Sri Lanka’s digital identity project [03:09, 32:11].
• DPGA (Digital Public Goods Alliance): Sri Lanka is a member [02:59].
• UNDP Sri Lanka: Collaborator, involved in Citra Labs [10:47, 11:53].
• Citra Labs: Social innovation lab supporting digital transformation [10:58].
• World Bank: Providing technical support [07:57].
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: Supporting agriculture domain interoperability project [13:39].
• Aadhaar System (India): Implied reference via MOSIP and Indian government support [32:10].
• Lanka Government Network (LGN): Existing DPI providing secure connectivity [21:03].
• Lanka Government Cloud (LGC): Existing DPI providing cloud services [21:05].
• Government Information Centre (1919): Existing DPI providing information via phone [21:07, 23:10].
• National Digital Economy Strategy 2030 (Sri Lanka): Policy document outlining DPI goals [07:46].