Printing driving licences temporary task, primary role ensuring country’s security always – Defence Secy

Defence Secretary Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the driving licence printing project taken over by the Army was a temporary measure following a Cabinet decision to save state funds.

 Responding to media queries on Monday (Jan 4) he said, “There is no acquisition of state sector institutions by the military as alleged. The other functions of the Motor Traffic Department’s system remain unchanged and the Army is involved only in the printing process.

Responding to the issue of Ukrainian tourists arriving in the country as part of a pilot project launched to resume the key tourism industry, the Defence Secretary said, “There are some areas where improvements have to be effected. We will attend to it.

“The revival of the tourism sector is vital since many Sri Lankans involved in it, including hoteliers and others who have lost their source of income,” the Defence Secretary said.

Responding to the issue of cremating coronavirus victims, he said “A clear decision would be taken by the government before long”.

 Asked for his comments on the practice of banned items being hurled into prisons over their walls, the Defence Secretary said: “We have streamlined the prisons system and will also intensify the security in prisons further. and plans are afoot to recruit new jailers to run the system smoothly.

 “We have also looked into the facilities provided to the prisoners. Increase in the number of drug offenders in remand prisoners was a result of intensified raids carried out by the law enforcing agencies. Among those who were granted bail were youngsters addicted to drugs.”

They would be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society and it was the motive behind their release on bail, Gen. Gunaratne said.

“The entire prison system will be reformed,” the Defence Secretary said, adding that the law enforcement agencies continued to seize narcotics, and on Jan 04 the Sri Lanka Navy had seized 104 kilos of ICE and 80 kilos of Hashish.