'Smart Card' case dismissed

Wasantha RAMANAYAKE

The Supreme Court yesterday dismissed the rights application challenging the cost of the proposed "Smart Card" new driving licence.

The Court was of the view that there was no prima facie case for the petitioner.

The petitioner R.G. Rohana of Anuradhapura who was also a member of the Non-Governmental Organization "Corruption Watch," complained to the court that the cost of the proposed licence was disproportionately higher, just for the addition of finger print impression and the traffic violations data, over that of the licence currently in use.

Counsel Upul Jayasuriya for the petitioner stated that the licence which is currently in use was user-friendly and successful had been used in the country for over a decade.

The petitioner cited the Commissioner of Motor Traffic, the Minister of Transport and the Attorney General as respondents.