National identity card eligibility age brought down

The government has decided to bring down the minimum age to become eligible to apply for a national identity card to 15 years from the present 18 years.

Also, all national identity card holders will be included in a catalogue by the Department of Registration of Persons, said minister John Amaratunga.

This catalogue will have details of every citizen, including name, date and place of birth, sex, address, family and other information sought by the department.

To make these changes, the government has taken steps to amend the registration of persons act no. 32 of 1968.