The Ministry of Transport and Highways has refuted news reports about the cancellation of all un-updated driving licences.
According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), Transport & Highways Ministry Secretary Eng. Ranjith Rubasinghe confirmed that the rumours were false.
He further said that a new system is to be introduced to update information for 2 million licences and the entire process is expected to be completed by year-end.
“The first driving license in Sri Lanka was issued in the 1960s. Since then, approximately 12.3 million licenses have been issued. Licenses from the 1960s do not have an expiry date, allowing them to be used indefinitely without renewal. As a result, the information for about 02 million license holders remains out-dated.
The digitization of all transport sector services is currently underway. Procurement for the digitization of black marks and on-the-spot fines is nearing completion. Starting January 1, 2025, fines and on-the-spot penalties will be managed through this new system, which will require updated information for all driving licenses.
We will soon implement a new method to update the information of nearly 02 million driving license holders who have not yet updated their details. This process will not require new medical records or a visit to the Department of Motor Traffic. We aim to complete this update for all license holders by the end of this year. It is important to note that no new driving licenses will be issued, nor will existing licenses be cancelled. Reports suggesting otherwise are entirely false”
Eng. Ranjith Rubasinghe’s clarification comes after the state newspaper, the Daily News, reported that old non-biometric heavy vehicle driver’s licences will be invalidated next year, while drivers can obtain new licences.
Quoting the Motor Traffic Commissioner General Nishantha Weerasinghe, the report further said that 1.1 million old heavy vehicle driver’s licences would be cancelled as part of this process and that those affected would be given time to obtain new licences.
As per the news report, Nishantha Weerasinghe had also stated that around 1 million light vehicle driver’s licences, which cannot be renewed, will be invalidated soon.
However, the Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Highways has refuted reports in this regard.
