Smart Card too expensive

Sandasen MARASINGHE

A member of corruption watch has filed a Fundamental Rights case before Supreme Court saying his Fundamental Rights are violated through the act of introducing a new Smart Card Driving Licence System by the Commissioner of Motor Traffic.

Petitioner Rupasinghe Gamage Rohana cited Commissioner of Motor Traffic B. Wijeratne Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma and Metropolitan Office (Pvt) Ltd as respondents. The petitioner stated in his petition that the Government introduced a Card Driving Licence System in 1992 which is only Rs. 520. But the Transport Minister has decided to introduce a computerised Smart Card Driving Licence system which would be Rs. 2,500. They had entered into an agreement with the Metropolitan Office (Pvt) Ltd to issue the Smart Cards.

The petitioner stated that an international Smart Card is less than eight US Dollars. The price of a new Smart Card Driving Licence is too expensive and the petitioner pleads the Supreme Court to issue an interim order restraining the issuance of Smart Card by the respondents until the end of this case. Further the respondent pleads the Supreme Court to issue an order against the respondents to issue a cost effective Smart Card Driving Licence.