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.

Colombo District SJB MP Mujibur Rahuman told Parliament on Thursday that the Iranian naval vessel that sank off Sri Lanka’s southern coast had sought permission to dock at the Port of Galle, but the government had failed to respond in time.

Rahuman said the Iranian Navy ship had participated in a multinational naval training exercise in India along with representatives from 74 countries, including Sri Lanka.

He said the vessel had left India, after the exercise, but altered its course due to escalating Middle East tensions and remained in waters, about 40 nautical miles off Sri Lanka, for nearly 11 hours, while awaiting permission to berth.

“The ship had requested permission to dock at Galle Harbour, but the government did not respond,” he said.

The MP further alleged that a US submarine, operating in the Gulf, had received information about the Iranian vessel and subsequently targeted the ship near Sri Lanka’s maritime zone.

He questioned why the authorities allowed the Iranian ship to remain at sea for 11 hours without a response and whether the delay was consistent with Sri Lanka’s obligations under international maritime conventions.

“We are bound by international law. Why was the Iranian vessel not allowed to berth at Galle Port? Why was there such a delay?” he asked.

Rahuman made the remarks in Parliament while commenting on the attack on the Iranian Navy ship IRIS Dena, off Sri Lanka’s southern coast, on Wednesday.

by Saman Indrajith

The Maldives Coast Guard Ship Huravee which arrived in Sri Lanka for replenishment purposes, departed the island on 04 Mar 26.

In accordance with naval tradition, the Sri Lanka Navy extended a customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo