Financial Times

Reforms at Motor Traffic Dept. to eliminate bribes
By Iromi Perera
The Department of Motor Traffic is considering reforms to make the workings of the department more efficient and reduce corruption in a system where even those who cannot drive properly could easily obtain a driving licence by paying a Rs 500 bribe to certain examiners during the practical test.

Speaking to The Sunday Times FT on the procedure for driving examinations, Motor Traffic Commissioner B. Wijayaratne said that he is planning to change the perspective and the order of the way driving examinations are conducted.

"We are to introduce a computer based driving licence test," said Wijayaratne. This particular programme is for the written test and is being developed at the Moratuwa University at present. "My opinion is that if there is no giver, there is no taker," said Wijayaratne, speaking about people paying examiners during their driving examinations.

He added that the problem is made worse by those from the driving schools who act as the middleman. There are around 600 driving schools in Sri Lanka and Wijayaratne said that as there is no purpose in doing away with these driving schools, he proposes a major reform system, starting from the application process and then moving on to restructuring the practical test.

All these changes will make the involvement of the driving schools, especially, come to a minimum and also will not leave room for anyone to bribe examiners or cheat during the written tests. The Commissioner General of Exams will also be recruiting 15 new examiners of motor vehicles (EMVs) by next month.

The Department of Motor Traffic has undergone many changes since Wijayaratne took over 11 months ago. The waiting room of the department has a television displaying information about the department and its services appearing on the screen, making it easier for the people to know where to go, what services are available to them and who to meet. This was installed on March 1.

A client friendly service delivery and information desk connected to the central computer database was set up on August 16 to give better and speedier service to the people. A monitoring system is set up in Wijayaratne's room, enabling him to view the activity in all the departments. He said that all these new additions were private donations by people who were very happy with the work that was being done.

Wijayaratne also maintains a separate file for letters from the public and their suggestions. "Public response has been very good," he said about all the changes made so far.

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