Security concerns up applications for NICS through one-day service

NICS would be issued under the one-day service programme, only for those who handover their applications before 12.00 noon and the presence of the applicant is compulsory and also the same registration could be done through the 331 Divisional Secretariats across the country

The Department for Registration of Persons (DRP) yesterday said there is a significant increase in the number of applicants applied for the National Identity Cards (NICS) through the one-day service due to the prevailing security situation in the country.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, DRP Commissioner General Vianni Gunathilaka said more than 2,000 NICS are currently being issued daily under the one-day service programme.

“Due to the present security situation in the country, the NICS have become the most legal document to prove persons’ identity. Therefore, people are arriving at the DRP to get their NICS,” he said.

“Earlier, the Department issued about 1,000 to 1,500 NICS daily under the one-day service but due to the current situation, it had been increased to more than 2,000 which we are finding it difficult to handle under the programme. The Department is trying to issue the maximum number NICS in a single day, based on the number of applications received with the support of additional staff,” he said.

The Commissioner requested people to call over at the department with complete and clear documents, according to the instructions given in the application forms issued by the department, so that they would not be inconvenienced. Accordingly, the issuing of numbers to receive application would start at 7.30 am and ends at 12.00 noon.

NICS would be issued under the oneday service programme, only for those who handover their applications before 12.00 noon and the presence of the applicant is compulsory.

In line with the operations to the main office at Battaramulla, the same registration could be done through the 331 Divisional Secretariats across the country.