News
AG’s help to be sought to tackle rampant corruption at Motor Traffic Department
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.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Udaygiri arrived at the Port of Colombo on an official visit today, 8 September 2026, where it was received by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with time-
honoured naval traditions.
INS Udaygiri is a 149.02m long Frigate, Commanded by Captain Vikas Sood. Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship is scheduled to call on Commander Western Naval
Area, Rear Admiral Harsha De Silva at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.
Captain Sood served as the Defence Adviser at the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka from July 2020 to October 2023.
During their stay in the island, the crew of INS Udaygiri will participate in several goodwill events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two forces.
The visiting personnel are also scheduled to visit prominent tourist and cultural locations across the island.
Additionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel are expected to visit the ship for capability observation and knowledge sharing, and will conduct onboard training during its stay.
The Supreme Court has been petitioned seeking an explanation as to how eight petitions filed against the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution were not listed for hearing . Two of the petitioners, namely Dias Bandaralage Ajith Shantha Kumara Jayathilaka and Gunathilakage Dakum Dulara Gunathilaka, have requested an opportunity to examine the official Registry and parliamentary records so that all material facts may be objectively established. They said that their petitions that had been registered by the Supreme Court should have been heard along with other petitions.
The Registrar of the Supreme Court, Secretary General of Parliament, Speaker and the Attorney General have been named as the respondents.
The five-member bench that heard the petitions consisted of Chief Justice P. Padman Surasena, Achala Wengappuli, J, Arjuna Obeyesekere, J, Sampath B. Abayakoon, J and K.M.G.H. Kulatunga, J.
The petitioners sought the explanation in the absence of any judicial order dismissing, rejecting, striking out, terminating or otherwise disposing the said petitions. They have requested the disclosure of the complete procedural history of the unlisted cases.
The second petitioner Gunathilaka has referred to a speech by Jaffna District Independent MP Ramanathan Archuna in Parliament, on 21 August, 2026, regarding X-Press Pearl, a container carrier that sank off the port of Colombo, and related matters.
They have sought leave to proceed under Articles 17 and 126 of the Constitution and asked for a full Bench of the Supreme Court, or the widest Bench, constitutionally permissible.
They also requested that the Chief Justice and Achala Wengappuli refrain from participating in the hearing and determination of their application, having regard to the objective-appearance issue arising from their prior constitutional and judicial participation in matters forming part of the factual subject matter now requiring examination.
Meanwhile, General Secretary of Vinivida Foundation, Nagananda Kodituwakku, has requested the Supreme Court Registrar not to proceed with the determination of 22nd Amendment process, pending the hearing of fundamental rights petition filed by Chairman of the Vinivida Foundation lawyer, Sugandhika Fernando, seeking a full bench, excluding Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, to hear the petitions challenging the 22nd Amendment Bill. She also requested that the hearing be suspended immediately until the matter was fully heard and determined.
Among the respondents are Chief Justice Surasena, the first respondent, and Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe. Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Shiran Gooneratne, Achala Wengappuli and Priyantha Fernando.
(SF)
Sri Lankan passport holders travelling to Thailand wouldn’t be eligible for visa-free entry from 15 September, 2026, according to a new visa notice issued by the Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo.
Under the new measures, all Sri Lankan travellers will be required to obtain a Thai visa before departing for Thailand. Visa applications must be submitted online through Thailand’s official e-Visa system.
The Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo has also clarified that it will not accept visa applications submitted in person or in physical form.
According to the Embassy, tourist visa applications submitted by Sri Lankan passport holders are expected to take approximately 3–7 working days, calculated from the date on which all required documents have been duly completed and submitted.
Processing times for Non-Immigrant Visa and DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) applications may take longer.
Foreign nationals residing in Sri Lanka or the Maldives who hold valid work or residence permits may also require additional processing time.
The Embassy has cautioned applicants that it reserves the right to request additional documents or information when necessary. Applicants may also be asked to attend a visa interview on a case-by-case basis.
The new requirement represents a significant change for Sri Lankan travellers, who will need to complete the visa process before travelling to Thailand from September 15 onward.
The Embassy has urged applicants to rely only on its official communication channels for the latest visa requirements, procedures and updates.
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