The Sri Lankan military announced that it would be taking control over the issuing of driving licenses from next year, in a move that will see the military control all vehicle and driver data on the island.
Sri Lanka’s Minister of Transport and Energy Mahinda Amaraweera announced the move after he held discussions with the war crimes accused Defence Secretary Major General Kamal Guneratne and Army Chief Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva.
“Our information system that is which is with a private company to be kept with the Sri Lanka Army,” Amaraweera told reporters, claiming that the overseas firm was more costly than the military.
A joint committee of the Army and the Ministry of Defense will coordinate the activities going forward, he added.
The latest announcement comes as the military continues to expand its hold on civilian activates on the island, despite widespread criticism of Colombo’s militarisation. In the Tamil North-East where tens of thousands of soldiers remain stationed, the military already runs stores, barbers, restaurants and tourist resorts.
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