National identity card (Sri Lanka)

The National Identity Card (abbreviation: NIC) is the identity document in use in Sri Lanka. It is compulsory for all Sri Lankan citizens who are sixteen years of age and older to have their NICs. NICs are issued from the Registration of Persons Department. The Registration of Persons Act No.32 of 1968 as amended by Act Nos 28 and 37 of 1971 and Act No.11 of 1981 legislates the issuance and usage of NICs.

Currently it is compulsory for bearers to hold the card at all times and must show their cards to police officers conducting regular screening while on patrol, check points for instance. Failure to show any form of legal identification, may allow the police to detain suspicious individuals until relevant identification could be produced subsequently either in person or by proxy. The NIC is also a required document for some government procedures, commercial transactions such as the opening of a bank account, or to gain entry to premises by surrendering or exchanging for an entry pass. Failure to produce the card may result in denied access to these premises or attainment of goods and services. Most notably it is required to apply for a passport (over 16), driving license (over 18) and to vote (over 18).

NIC Number

Each NIC has a unique 10 digit number, in the format 000000000A (where 0 is a digit and A is a letter). The first two digits of the number are your year of birth (e.g.: 88xxxxxxxx for someone born in 1988). The final letter is generally a 'V' or 'X'. This number is use for unique person identification, similar to the social security number in the US.

Markings

1. At the top centre of the card the word "Sri Lanka" is printed in the Sinhala language.
2. The purple number on the right of the Sri Lankan emblem represents the Province from

which the application was made. The numbers range from 1-9. The numbering convention is as follows:

• 1 Western Province
• 2 Central Province
• 3 Southern Province
• 4 Northern Province
• 5 Eastern Province
• 6 North Western Province
• 7 North Central Province
• 8 Province of Uva
• 9 Province of Sabaragamuwa

Alternate identity cards

The Department of Post has been issuing an identity card since the 1940's with a validity of five years, this may be gained in lure of an NIC if the later is unable to be issued. This is commonly used by students who have not reached sixteen or by adults who need identity document sooner than a NIC could be issued or to a person an NIC can not be issued to. In cretin cases driving licence may be used.

See also

• Sri Lankan passport
• Driving licence in Sri Lanka

References

External links

• Registration of Persons Department
• Postal ID