• Public Admin. Min. notes importance of same for accurate OT payments 

The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government stated that steps would be taken to install biometric fingerprint scanner machines in all government institutions where such devices are currently not in place.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, subject minister Prof. A.H.M.H. Abayarathna said that while many government institutions already use biometric fingerprint machines, there remain offices where they are yet to be introduced. 

“We will take steps to install fingerprint machines in all those places in the future. It is very convenient, both for the public servants and for the Government,” he said.

He further said that with overtime (OT) allowances increased under the current Government, it is important to ensure that OT payments are made accurately. “The public servants are paid from public funds. When their salaries and OT allowances are paid, they should be calculated accurately. That is why fingerprint machines are important,” he noted.

In recent times however, certain postal workers opposed the use of fingerprint machines, claiming that the system creates unnecessary difficulties for employees and undermines trust. Similar objections have been raised by some other public sector employees, who claim that strict biometric attendance monitoring does not account for the nature of certain field duties carried out by them. Despite such protests, the Government has maintained that the system is necessary to prevent the misuse of public money and to ensure financial transparency.