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Metropolitan to invest on SMART card

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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