By The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) recently disclosed that the CCTV camera system, procured at a cost of Rs. 2.1 million for installation within the Department of Immigration and Emigration premises, remained unused for six years. This revelation unfolded during the summoning of the Department officials before COPA, chaired by State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna.
It was further unveiled that although the CCTV system was acquired in 2017, essential equipment required for its installation was not obtained. The individuals responsible for this acquisition have since been transferred.
Reluctance
COPA’s chair highlighted the reluctance of certain officials within such institutions to implement CCTV surveillance. Consequently, COPA instructed the Department to promptly install the CCTV system within its premises, overseen by a committee headed by an additional secretary to the Ministry of Public Security.
Moreover, COPA addressed the four-year delay in issuing e-passports, despite the initiation of the process in 2020. Officials informed COPA that the procurement process for the e-passport system was nearing completion. COPA directed the Department to accelerate the establishment of the e-passport system without delay.
