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AG’s help to be sought to tackle rampant corruption at Motor Traffic Department

Published

2 months ago

2026/03/7

SJB MP Kabir Hashim chairing the COPA meeting last Wednesday

The Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has approved a proposal to submit to the House a report containing recommendations on corruption and irregularities at the Department of Motor Traffic and, upon obtaining Parliamentary approval, to forward it to the Attorney General for observation and further action, Parliament sources said yesterday.

This marks the first occasion in which a report, containing COPA recommendations, is to be submitted to the Attorney General for scrutiny and follow-up action with the approval of Parliament.

The approval was granted when COPA met in Parliament on 04 March, 2026, under the chairmanship of MP Kabir Hashim. The Committee decided that the report on the progress made in implementing the directives issued at COPA meetings held on 10 and 21 March, 2025, in relation to the Department of Motor Traffic, should be presented to Parliament and, following approval, referred to the Attorney General for necessary action.

Standing Order 119 (04) of Parliament provides for reports of matters revealed at COPA to be referred to the Attorney General for observation and further action. Accordingly, the Committee expects to forward this report to the Attorney General. This provision was introduced through amendments made to the Standing Orders in 2022, and it is significant that a COPA report will be presented to the Attorney General for the first time under this mechanism.

Officials, including Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Prof. Kapila Perera, and Commissioner General of Motor Traffic Kamal Amarasinghe, were summoned before the Committee to present facts regarding the report.

According to revelations made at COPA, further action is to be taken with regard to 25 matters relating to fraud, corruption and irregularities that had occurred within the Department. The Commissioner General stated that the Sri Lanka Police would be engaged in taking legal action against officers suspected of involvement in fraud and corruption. He added that monthly meetings would be held to review the progress of investigations and that the Department was prepared to provide the necessary assistance and information for legal action.

The Commissioner General further said that the Department of Motor Traffic had now been integrated with the Customs system and that maximum measures had been taken to prevent the recurrence of fraudulent activities that had been uncovered.

He also pointed out that the system now enables authorities to clearly identify officers who access the data system, leaving no room for unauthorised activities, such as altering data.

The Committee also inquired into situations where investigations, relating to previous recommendations, had been halted due to missing original files. Officials informed the Committee that assistance would be provided to continue the investigations by obtaining relevant information through alternative sources.

Committee members also noted that public confidence in the Department of Motor Traffic remained low and stressed the need to take measures to change that perception. The Chairman emphasised the importance of transforming the Department into an institution capable of delivering a prompt, reliable and corruption-free service by strengthening its data systems, and online facilities, while eliminating the role of intermediaries.

The Ministry Secretary stated that steps were being taken to establish a new data system linking several institutions, including the Inland Revenue Department, in addition to the Customs Department. He added that this would enable the efficient handling of services, such as new vehicle registration, transfer of ownership, issuance of vehicle number plates and the granting of driving licences.

The meeting was attended by Committee members Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage and MPs J.C. Alawathuwala, Hector Appuhamy, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Dr. A.L.A.M. Hizbullah, Chandana Sooriyarachchi, Oshani Umanga, Manjula Suraveera Arachchi, Susanta Kumara Navaratne and Ajantha Gammadda.

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Heat Index at Caution Level at some places in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time

Published

44 mins ago

2026/05/1

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 30 April 2026, valid for 01 May 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, and North-western provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

News

USD 2.5 mn fraud probe: Interdicted MoF official found dead at home

Published

60 mins ago

2026/05/1

Thilina Walpola

An Assistant Director of the External Resources Department (ERD) of the Ministry of Finance, interdicted pending an investigation into the diversion of US$2.5 million in Treasury funds to a rogue account was found dead at his residence in Kuliyapitiya.

The deceased has been identified as Ranga Nishantha, 50.

Police said the officer had been found in the garden of his house and they believed that the officila had committed suicide. However, investigators have not ruled out other possibilities, and inquiries are continuing.

The official was interdicted along with three other senior Finance Ministry officials over a cyber-enabled financial fraud.

Those interdicted include a Director and an Assistant Director from the ERD, as well as a Director and an Additional Director General from the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO).

Police sources said that the CID had on two occasions asked Nishantha to make a statement in connection with the ongoing investigation, but he had failed to comply.

Police said the CID probe into the alleged cyber fraud is continuing, with investigators examining the circumstances surrounding the diversion of funds through compromised communication channels.Kuliyapitiya Police said further investigations were underway to establish the exact cause of death.

News

Alarm raised over plan to share Lanka’s biometric data with blacklisted Indian firm

Published

1 hour ago

2026/05/1

Thilina Walpola

FSP accuses govt. of reducing Sri Lanka to a puppet of India by giving away sensitive data

Jana Aragalaya Movement, affiliated to the Frontline Socialist Party, yesterday raised alarm over a move to hand over Sri Lankans’ fingerprint and iris biometric data to a blacklisted foreign company.

Speaking at a media briefing in front of the Ministry of Fisheries yesterday Jana Aragalaya Movement National Operational Committee Member Wasantha Mudalige alleged that India was seeking access to Sri Lanka’s sensitive national data systems in a bid to exert influence over the country.

He said that decision-making authority over the proposed biometric identity card system was being ceded to India.

Mudalige said the electronic identity card project, launched in 2012, had already cost Rs. 5.6 billion in software development, with a further Rs. 600 million needed for completion. However, he alleged that in 2021 the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration had moved to integrate the project

with India for biometric implementation, despite substantial local investment already made.

He said a government tender process had been initiated but later stalled after bidders failed to meet required qualifications.

He alleged that in 2023 the Ranil Wickremesinghe administration had attempted to award the project to Madras Security Printers, a company blacklisted over an excise-related fraud case, and that the move was halted following public opposition.

Mudalige added that after President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed office, Sri Lanka had signed an agreement with India in January 2025 under which tendering authority was also transferred.

He alleged that while five Indian companies were initially registered, a sixth company—Madras Security Printers—was later added by March 2026, raising further concerns.

Calling for urgent clarification, Mudalige warned that Sri Lanka risked undermining its sovereignty and national security, insisting the country must not be reduced to what he termed a foreign “puppet state.”

by Chaminda Silva