COLOMBO : Digital Transformation Delivers – Thousands of Sri Lankans Overseas Benefit from e-BMD Initiative
The Government’s digital transformation drive has achieved a significant milestone with the successful implementation of the Electronic Birth, Marriage and Death (e-BMD) system across Sri Lanka’s overseas missions, enabling thousands of citizens living abroad to obtain vital civil documents swiftly and efficiently.
The digital transformation programme was initiated with the intervention of the Presidential Secretariat, underscoring the highest level of commitment to modernising public service delivery.
According to the latest progress report of the Registrar General’s Department (RGD), the e-BMD system has been fully deployed in 62 Sri Lankan embassies and high commissions worldwide, marking a major step in modernising public service delivery for the diaspora.
The initiative, which was launched following a successful pilot phase in early 2025, now allows Sri Lankan citizens residing overseas to obtain certified copies of birth, marriage and death certificates directly through their respective foreign missions without having to travel back to Sri Lanka or rely on lengthy manual processes.
In just one year since its full rollout, the system has already facilitated the issuance of more than 8,000 certified documents through Sri Lanka’s diplomatic missions, reflecting strong uptake and trust among overseas Sri Lankans.
These services have reached citizens in a wide range of countries, including major Sri Lankan diaspora hubs such as the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Canada, the United States, France, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Malaysia, India and several European, Middle Eastern and Asian nations.
Officials note that the widespread geographical coverage demonstrates the system’s ability to provide equitable access to essential civil documentation for Sri Lankans regardless of where they reside.
The e-BMD platform represents a key component of the Government’s broader public sector digitalisation agenda, aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and citizen convenience. By digitising civil registration services and linking foreign missions directly to the Registrar General’s Department, processing times have been drastically reduced while ensuring the authenticity and security of issued documents.
Real-time technical support provided by the RGD’s ICT Division has ensured uninterrupted service delivery, addressing operational issues at foreign missions and maintaining system reliability across different jurisdictions.
The initiative has been widely viewed as a transformative measure for Sri Lankans living abroad, particularly those requiring official certificates for employment, education, immigration and legal purposes in their respective countries of residence.
By eliminating bureaucratic delays and geographical barriers, the e-BMD system has significantly eased administrative burdens on both citizens and diplomatic missions, enhancing the quality of consular services delivered by the Government.
The successful implementation of the e-BMD system at foreign missions highlights the Government’s commitment to building a modern, technology-driven public service framework that responds effectively to the needs of citizens at home and overseas.
With thousands already benefitting and services now available across dozens of countries, the initiative stands as a clear example of how digital innovation is being harnessed to strengthen governance, improve service delivery and maintain closer ties with Sri Lanka’s global diaspora.
