25 March 2019 08:18 pm
UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra said today the Motor Traffic Department was the most corrupt institution in the country and requested for an immediate investigation into it.
Speaking at the committee stage debate of the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, she said the head of the RMV was involved in a huge financial scam through the printing of driving licenses.
She revealed that an agreement had been signed with a South African Company for seven years to print driving licenses but the agreement had not been terminated even after three years of the agreement period had lapsed as the head of the RMV was getting a huge commission.
"The agreement was signed for seven years with the South African Company in 2009. According to the agreement, all equipment of the Company should be handed over to the government after seven years. But no equipment has been handed over to the government as yet even after three years. RMV employees claim that its head was getting a huge commission," she said.
She said Rs.1,700 was charged from a person to issue a driving license and added that the government was only getting Rs. 360 from it while more than Rs. 1300 was going to the South African Company.
She also said the said company undertook a project to introduce online driving license system for 25 districts but it was introduced only for 9 districts.
"The head of the RMV was paying money to this South African Company for all 25 districts," she said.
Ms. Premachandra said a financial scam was happening at the RMV through the contract to issue vehicle number plates as well.
"The agreement signed with German Company UTACH to issue number plates had elapsed two years ago. But the agreement had not been terminated," she said.
UPFA MPs Kumara Welgama and Mahinda Amaraweera also claimed that irregularities were happening at the Motor Traffic Department and requested for investigations. (Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)