Only eight of 236 finger-print machines are in use at Health Ministry

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our lobby correspondent

Boycotting finger-print machines have forced the Ministry to end up with a sunk cost of Rs. 28 million, according to Deputy Minister of Health Lalith Dissanayake.

Responding to a question for oral answers, Deputy Minister Dissanayake blamed the trade unions for assembling employees to continue using the conventional signature system despite circulars issued by Ministry of Public Administration and home affairs to follow state of the art technological advancements.

“We have purchased 236 finger print machines in September 2006 to overcome the difficulties experienced with employee attendance. There are 104 trade unions operating in the health sector. All these trade unions stood against the use of these machines and wanted to continue the old system of placing the signature physically. Employees should take finger-print machines positively when we are paying their salaries. People those who are into fraudulent activities are concerned using these machines. Unfortunately only eight machines are still in use,” said Deputy Minister Dissanayake in response to United National Party MP Sajith Premadasa.

However, MP Premadasa stated that prior to making the finger-print machine purchase the Ministry should have consulted all stakeholders.