MCNS INSISTS COMPULSORY REGISTRATION ON UNSECURE SERVER!!!

Citizen Registration in Western Province compulsory: MCNS

By Dinidu de Alwis

The Media Centre for National Security yesterday insisted that it was compulsory for all citizens in the Western province to register themselves through the newly set up Defence Ministry website www.citizens.lk

MCNS Director General Lakshman Hulugalle told the Daily Mirror that residents who had access to the internet could register online directly, while others could either visit a Nenasala Centre for the purpose or register themselves through the mobile service units that would be made available soon.

Even though registration is compulsory, Mr. Hulugalle said there was no timeframe for the process. He however said they expected everyone to register, and some form of legal action would be taken to ensure compliance.

Several Daily Mirror online readers had earlier expressed concern that the website was not operating on a secure server,

and there existed the risk of third parties acquiring the information transmitted. They also commented on the lack of a privacy policy and the failure to cite reasons why the information was collected.

Referring to these concerns Mr. Hulugalle, said he would pass on details of security concerns to the Ministry of Defence. Commenting on the privacy policy and the purpose of collection, he declined to comment except saying that the information gathered would be used for national security purposes.

When we inquired about the fate of those who did not possess national identity cards, or any form of birth certificates, Mr. Hulugalle said he was unable to comment on how they would be able to register, but said the process was still at a preliminary stage, and that it would be integrated with the other databases of registration of persons.

Sri Lanka has an estimated one million people without birth registration, and according to the Household Computer Literacy Survey of 2006/07 conducted by the Department of Census and Statistic, only 34% of households have a computer, and only 6% of the households in the Westren province had internet connections.
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