Metropolitan to invest on SMART card
Shirajiv SIRIMANE
Metropolitan Group will invest Rs. 4 million to introduce the SMART
card driving license system to Sri Lanka. Their overseas partners will
also pump a further Rs. 24 million.
Metropolitan Group bagged the prestigious ‘Superbrand’ title as
they celebrated their 50th anniversary this August. Chairman J.
Ambani receiving the Superbrand award from Director Metropolitan
Group Taslim Rahaman. Director R.H. Samarakoon looks on. Picture
by Sumanachandra Ariyawansa |
Chairman, J.J. Ambani speaking at an event held to commemorate their
50 years on business said that the system would be introduced early next
month. The new driving licence would include a computer chip and will
carry more personal information such as the National Identity Card
number, blood group and many more.
It would bear an international acceptance and the chip makes it
possible to load more information when required.
“One of the biggest advantages of the SMART card would be that it
could be processed within 24 hours as against today’s minimum of around
three months,” he said.
He said that from an office equipment supplying business it had today
elevated to a business venture worth of Rs. 5 billion with stakes in
communication, (Suntel and mobiles) IT, Plantation (Bogawantalawa) real
estate and many more.
During its 50 year journey, Metropolitan has also added many firsts
to its credit. Among them is the launch of the first Sinhala word
processing system in 1985, followed by the introduction of the first
Sinhala electronic typewriter. On its list of achievements are the first
computerisation of a State bank and the introduction of the first colour
digital copier to Sri Lanka. The company also implemented the largest
broadband wireless access solution to Sri Lanka in addition to
pioneering the implementation of two WiMax networks.
The Chairman also unveiled plans to extend their operations to
Singapore.
CEO, Niranjan de Silva said that the company would keep on making
investments on IT and would also closely look at the BPO sector as it
shows tremendous growth.
“The annual revenue last year from BPO and IT related industry in
India was over US $ 4 billion and in Sri Lanka it was at US $ 250
million,” he said.
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