New Commission to probe DMT licence contract

• DMT staff estimates Rs.1.75 b loss to Govt. but COPA puts figure at Rs. 4 b 
• Committee to be appointed soon

The Government will launch a fresh probe in to alleged corruption involving a driving licences contract under the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT).

Transport Service Management and Power and Energy Minister Mahinda Amaraweera had held discussions with personnel from the DMT where the issue was discussed at length. According to a press release by the Ministry, senior officers of the DMT had conceded that there was a possibility that corruption and delays had occurred during the implementation of the contract. 

DMT officials had estimated the loss to the Government at Rs. 1.75 billion. Amaraweera confirmed to the Daily FT that a Committee will be appointed soon to look into the matter. 

“It is apparent that corruption has occurred, the Government has lost a large sum of money, and we need to investigate the companies involved, and if found guilty, their activities in Sri Lanka need to be stopped and be blacklisted. Those State officials who are responsible must be found, and be held accountable,” the press release read. 

However, earlier this year, the Committee on Public Accounts (CoPA) was told that the failure to acquire the process followed to issue driving licences under the Department of Motor Traffic has led the Government to incur a loss of Rs. 4 billion.

According to the press release, the new driver’s licence which is issued with a special chip, cannot be used due to none of the regulators nor the Police Traffic Control officers being properly equipped with the relevant devices to read the chip. DMT personnel also charged that the licence can be issued at Rs. 300 each; however, the licence is being issued at Rs. 1300.

The DMT was also faulted for incompetence earlier this year, with CoPA Chairman Lasantha Alagiyawanna issuing a directive to the Ministry of Finance to prepare a detailed report on the loss incurred due to the faults of the Department of Motor Traffic. 

Auditor General Chulantha Wickramaratne told CoPA that the Department of Motor Traffic is wilfully avoiding the State regulations. 

CoPA found that data collection based on the traffic offences, enabling applicants to obtain drivers licenses online, and engaging Police to prevent traffic offences were some of the matters the Department had skipped during establishing the process. CoPA also found that the Government has also lost money with the use of forged documents used to register motor vehicles.