COPA To Submit Motor Traffic Department Corruption Report To Attorney General

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has decided to submit its report containing recommendations on corruption and irregularities within the Department of Motor Traffic to the Attorney General, subject to the approval of Parliament.

The decision was taken when the committee met in Parliament recently.

This marks the first time that a COPA report will be forwarded to the Attorney General for further legal action.

According to the committee, further action will be taken regarding 25 cases of fraud, corruption and irregularities identified within the department.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Professor Kapila Perera, and the Commissioner General of the Department of Motor Traffic, Kamal Amarasinghe, along with several officials, were summoned before the committee to present facts related to the report.

During the meeting, the Commissioner General stated that the department will work with the Sri Lanka Police to initiate legal action against officers suspected of being involved in fraud and corruption.

He also said monthly meetings would be held to review the progress of investigations and to provide necessary assistance and information to facilitate legal proceedings.

The Commissioner General further noted that since the Customs system has been linked with the Department of Motor Traffic, measures have been strengthened to prevent the recurrence of previously identified fraudulent activities.

He added that the system now allows authorities to clearly identify officers who enter data into the database, leaving no room for unauthorized actions such as data modification.

The committee also inquired about investigations that had stalled due to the misplacement of original files linked to earlier recommendations.

Officials informed the committee that they would obtain the necessary information from alternative sources and assist in continuing the investigations.

COPA emphasized the need to transform the Department of Motor Traffic into an institution that provides efficient and reliable services free from intermediaries and corruption, through improved data systems and enhanced online services.

Meanwhile, Secretary to the Ministry Professor Kapila Perera said plans are underway to establish a new integrated data system linking several institutions, including the Department of Inland Revenue and the Customs Department.

He said the system will help streamline services such as new vehicle registration, transfer of ownership, issuance of number plates, and driving licenses.