Govt. to restructure State Printing Corp

Minister of Media Gayantha Karunathilaka Monday opened a State Printing Corporation (SPC) outlet at the Colombo Fort Railway Station. It will be opened from 7.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. daily. SPC plans to open similar outlets at popular rail stations in the country. Here Minister Karunathilaka makes the first purchase. Deputy Minister Karunarathna Paranawithana, Chairman of the State Printing Corporation Ravi Kalansooriya, and Railways General B.A.P. Ariyarathne are also present

The Government plans to restructure the State Printing Corporation (SPC) using modern equipment and training with the expectation of increasing its efficiency.

Minister of Parliament Reforms and Mass Media Gayantha Karunathilaka made these remarks Monday participating at the opening of the SPC mobile outlet in front of the Colombo- Fort Railway station. The SPC has established its outlets at Colombo- Fort Railway station, Maradana Railway station, Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, Mawanella General Hospital, and at the Kirindiwela Central College. These outlets will provide customers with discounts of up to 50% for their purchases. 

According to the Minister, the SPC, which was previously ridden by corruption, has now shown progress in comparison to the previous government. The minister also recalled the involvement of the Parliamentary COPE Committee in removing the former Chairman of the Corporation due to corruption.

 

Minister Karunathilaka highlighting the corruption said: “Previous SPC authorities sold one kilo of wasted papers for Rs.4/- in an unsolicited manner without any tender process. After I assumed duties, together with my Deputy Minister Karunarathna  Paranawithana, we moved a Cabinet Paper to sell these wasted papers. We were able to sell a kilo at Rs.45/-.” 

Deputy Minister Karunarathna Paranawithana, and the new Chairman of the SPC Ravi Kalansooriya were also present.