Sri Lanka Police have announced that licenced holders of firearms issued for personal protection will be required to present their weapons to the police station where the licence was issued every six months to obtain a certificate verifying functionality and serial number accuracy.

The directive, issued by Police Headquarters in line with the 2026 licence renewal process, was communicated to all licence holders by the Security Council. 

According to the Police, the certificate will confirm that the firearm is in working condition and that its serial number matches the licence details.

The Inspector General of Police has instructed all station OICs and senior officers to ensure compliance, with checks and certification to be carried out twice yearly.

The Police added that the measure is aimed at strengthening oversight of licenced firearms and ensuring proper monitoring under the renewal system. (Newswire)

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The Department of Motor Traffic says that 400,000 permanent driving licences have now been issued to drivers who were previously given temporary licences.

Due to a shortage of permanent license cards in recent months, drivers who passed their driving tests were issued a temporary licence. 

Commissioner General of Motor Traffic Kamal Amarasinghe stated that permanent licences have now been issued to those drivers.

He further noted that another 100,000 permanent licences have already been printed and will be distributed in the coming days to drivers holding temporary licences. 

In addition, procurement arrangements for importing a further 1 million cards have been completed, and steps will be taken to bring them into the country soon, he added. (Newswire)

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The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) has announced plans to introduce a licensing system for drone pilots engaged in commercial and professional activities, marking the first such initiative in the country.

Under the leadership of Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer, the CAASL has already established standard drone regulations under IS-53, which form the basis of the new licensing framework. 

Applicants will be required to pass a theory examination, undergo a medical check-up and security clearance, and demonstrate practical operational competency in a live assessment.

The evaluation process for the first license has already been conducted, with Civil Aviation Inspector (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) Praveen Wijesinghe successfully completing the requirements. 

Issuing a statement, the CAASL stated that all drones used for commercial purposes must also be registered with CAASL under existing regulations.

Officials said the move aims to foster a new operational culture in Sri Lanka’s drone industry, aligning with global trends in unmanned aircraft technology. 

Once implemented, Sri Lanka will become the second country in South Asia, after India, to introduce a formal licensing system for drone pilots.

CAASL noted that the initiative is expected to boost national economic growth by supporting multiple industries and strengthening the country’s aviation oversight. (Newswire)

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The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) says driving licence issuance has returned to normal this year after major delays in 2025.

Commissioner General Kamal Amarasinghe said around 490,000 licence applications piled up last year, making it difficult to issue cards. 

Priority was given to applicants who urgently needed licences, especially those travelling abroad and for official purposes, through the one-day service.

At present, about 255,000 licence cards are being issued and handed over to Sri Lanka Post for delivery.

The DMT says the process in 2026 is now smooth, and applicants can obtain their licences without major delays. (Newswire)

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Minister of Transport Bimal Ratnayake says the Inspector General of Police has been instructed to take action against the driver of a container who was seen recklessly driving and harassing the driver of a bus on the expressway.

Video footage shows the container forcing the bus out of its lane and driving dangerously close, pushing the vehicle toward the railings.

Addressing the issue in Parliament, Minister Ratnayake pointed out that several accidents are a cause of the reckless behaviour of drivers, including drugs and alcohol consumption, racing, and sleeplessness. 

“Even recently, we saw a container edge a bus out of its way for blocking its path and putting a small part. We have informed the IGP to arrest the container driver,” he said. 

Minister Ratnayake further said that a special licence, identified as the Public Transport Licence, is being introduced to minimise these kinds of actions.

“All drivers engaged in public transportation, including school and taxi services, will be required to obtain this licence. It will be granted following a 2-day training period. It will be made mandatory to get a PT Licence in the future. Passenger transport licences can be obtained after the age of 25, but school transportation licences will be granted only after the age of 30,” he said.

Minister Ratnayake further revealed that the licence demerit system will also be introduced, where points will be deducted for every traffic violation, and eventually cancelled for those identified as committing continuous wrongdoing. 

He added that the said regulations will be legalized within the next two months. (Newswire)

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A discussion has been held on the implementation of the roadmap for the proposed traffic fine demerit system during a high-level meeting chaired by Minister of Transport Bimal Ratnayake today.

The meeting was attended by the Inspector General of Police, the Chairman of the Postal Department, the Consultant to the Ministry of Digital Economy, the Additional Secretary (Development) of the Ministry of Transport, Deputy Inspectors General, senior police officers, Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) officials and other relevant stakeholders.

According to the Transport Ministry, the meeting comes as the government moves forward with plans to introduce a demerit points mechanism aimed at promoting disciplined driving and improving road safety.

Officials discussed the legal, technical and operational steps required to roll out the system, including coordination between the Sri Lanka Police, the Department of Motor Traffic, postal services and digital platforms to ensure effective enforcement, data sharing and public notification.

The proposed demerit system is designed to identify repeat traffic offenders by assigning penalty points for violations. 

Drivers who accumulate the maximum number of demerit points are expected to face sanctions such as licence cancellation, with provisions for retraining, examinations and medical clearance before reissuing a licence.

Officials noted that the system has not yet been implemented and that preparatory work is ongoing, including the evaluation of bids submitted in response to a tender for the required technological infrastructure. Authorities have said the public will be informed once the system is ready to be rolled out.

The Transport Ministry further said consultations will follow as part of a phased implementation plan, with an emphasis on public awareness and institutional readiness ahead of the launch of the demerit points system. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Defence has issued a statement announcing the extension for the renewal of firearms licenses of individuals and institutions for 2026.

Previously, issuance of firearm permits for individuals/institutions for the year 2026 was to be carried out until 31 December 2025.

Issuing a statement, the Defence Ministry said considering the prevailing national security situation, this period has been extended until 31 January 2026. 

After 31 January 2026, firearm permits will not be issued except under the provisions of Section 22 of the Firearms Ordinance, it added.

The Defence Ministry further said that the issuance of security company licences for the year 2026/2027, which was also to take place between 01 September 2025 and 31 December 2025, has been extended. 

According to the ministry, considering the prevailing national security situation, this period has been extended until 31 January 2026. 

Thereafter, issuance of licences will be subject to the recommendations of the relevant committees/authorities, it added. (Newswire)

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The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) says the online driving licence service is temporarily unavailable, and measures are being taken to rectify the situation. 

According to the DMT Commissioner General, the online system is unavailable due to the adverse weather conditions experienced in the country.

As such, licences will be issued offline at the Werahera and District Offices, the DMT Commissioner General added. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka has officially suspended the issuance of new licences for the operation of terrestrial analogue television channels, following Cabinet approval of a joint proposal presented by the Minister of Mass Media and the President, in his capacity as Minister of Digital Economy.

At present, 24 television channels, including five state-owned broadcasters, are operating under licences issued to 16 institutions using the existing analogue terrestrial system. Authorities note that the frequency spectrum has already reached its maximum capacity, making further licensing impractical.

In response, the Ministry of Mass Media has launched the Digital Non-Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Project, aimed at introducing a single digital terrestrial broadcasting system to replace the current 46 analogue transmission systems across the country. The initiative seeks to provide higher-quality digital viewing services through modern technology.

The project is being implemented in collaboration with the Government of Japan and is scheduled for completion by 2029. The existing analogue broadcasting system will be completely phased out within two years following the project’s conclusion.

Accordingly, the Cabinet has decided to terminate the process of issuing licences for analogue terrestrial television channels with immediate effect. Future allocation of frequencies for terrestrial television operations will be handled by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL). (Newswire)

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More than 300,000 driver’s licenses are pending issuance currently, and arrangements have been made to print and distribute them within the next three months, officials of the Ministry of Transport have informed the Ministerial Consultative Committee.

Briefing the committee, they further stated that a new driver’s license with enhanced security features will also be printed and issued within this year. 

They said that, additionally, all necessary arrangements have been completed to procure the one million cards required for the printing of driver’s licenses.

These remarks were made during the meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, held in Parliament recently (09) under the chairmanship of Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake.

Addressing the committee, the Chair instructed officials to install printing machines in every province to expedite the issuance of pending driver’s licenses.

The Chair also inquired from officials regarding the issuance of vehicle number plates. In response, officials informed the committee that the process of selecting a supplier is currently underway, and following Cabinet approval, the process will be completed, allowing for the commencement of number plate issuance.

Furthermore, the committee discussed the integrated passenger transport timetable currently in operation. The Chair stated that, as the integrated timetable is a policy initiative, steps will be taken to identify shortcomings and expand it to more regions in the future to provide a more efficient service to passengers.

The Chair also presented details regarding a pilot project aimed at reducing train accidents involving elephants. It was revealed that Rs. 2.8 million will be spent to install long-range surveillance cameras on trains operating on the Madakalapuwa (Batticaloa) line to monitor and minimize elephant-train collisions.

The committee also held extensive discussions regarding issues faced in the constituencies of Members of Parliament and possible solutions to those problems. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka’s first Telecommunications Infrastructure Services License was awarded on Tuesday (02 Sept) to EDOTCO Services Lanka (Private) Limited, a subsidiary of EDOTCO Group, Asia’s leading integrated telecommunications infrastructure provider.

The license, issued by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL), introduces a new regulatory framework under Section 17B of the Sri Lanka Telecommunications (Amendment) Act, formally recognizing the role of independent mid-tier companies in strengthening the nation’s digital ecosystem. 

According to the Ministry of Digital Economy, this marks a historic shift in the telecommunications sector, enabling greater infrastructure sharing and collaboration to accelerate connectivity across the island.

The government highlighted its commitment to working with independent infrastructure providers to expand coverage, enhance efficiency, and ensure that every citizen, including those in rural and underserved areas, can benefit from digital services and solutions.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eranga Weeraratne, stressed that expanding connectivity is fundamental to enabling citizens to access government services and integrate digital technology into their daily lives.

The event was attended by Waruna Sri Dhanapala, Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy; Hans Wijesuriya, Senior Presidential Advisor on Digital Economy; Bandula Herath, Director General of TRCSL; Gayan Koralage, Managing Director of EDOTCO Sri Lanka; along with ministry officials and industry representatives. (Newswire)

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Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku says plans are underway to introduce an online system to issue medical certificates for individuals arriving to obtain a driver’s licence. 

The Deputy Minister said that the decision has been taken as numerous irregularities have been reported at the Transport Medical Institute located in Nugegoda, which issues printed medical certificates for individuals arriving to obtain a driver’s licence. 

Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku said that it has been confirmed that this method has led to numerous irregularities and that immediate steps will be taken to minimize such issues going forward.

Currently, the National Transport Medical Institute in Nugegoda issues printed medical certificates to individuals applying for a driver’s license. It has been revealed that this process lacks transparency and has resulted in irregularities, he said.

Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku said that as a result, a decision has been made to adopt an online system to reduce such issues.

“When a driver’s license expires, people have to come to Werahera to renew it. This causes significant inconvenience. The only reason they must come in person is to provide fingerprints. Within the next month or so, we hope to change this system as well, so that renewing a driver’s license can be done easily without having to visit Werahera. The groundwork for this new process has already begun,” the Deputy Minister said. 

He expressed these views during an inspection tour yesterday (25) of the Werahera branch of the Department of Motor Traffic, which operates under the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation. Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne also participated in this inspection tour. (Newswire/ Image – Dinamina)

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Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake says the temporary licences issued at the Katunayake Airport to tourists do not consist of licences for three-wheelers. 

Addressing the Parliament today, Minister Rathnayake clarified that the temporary licences are only issued to tourists for light vehicles.

“The licences are only for light vehicles. The tourists are only able to use the licences for light vehicles used to transport themselves and their families while on holiday. They cannot drive any vehicle considered as public transport,” he said.

Clarifying that licences are not issued to tourists for three-wheelers, he said this was after considering safety risks and unfairness to those in the three-wheeler industry. 

“Previously, three-wheeler licences were issued. However, we are not issuing such a licence. We have instructed the authorities to halt the issuance of three-wheeler licences under this system. This decision has been taken after considering the dangers to tourists and the impact on the three-wheel community,” he said. 

Minister Bimal Rathnayake said that the aforementioned regulations are strictly followed when issuing licences to tourists at the Katunayake Airport, as well as the Department of Motor Traffic Office in Werahera.

He further acknowledged that the fee charged for the issuance of temporary licences for tourists was low, stating that the government hopes to increase the fee in the future. 

“Representatives from tourism organizations met with us regarding this matter. During the discussion, they raised concerns that the current fee of Rs. 2,000 is too low. We acknowledge that as well; it’s roughly equivalent to six US dollars. According to the relevant gazette, we are authorized to charge this amount. That’s why we currently maintain the Rs. 2,000 fee. We intend to propose an increase in these charges to the Cabinet. Upon receiving Cabinet approval, we hope to publish new regulations through a gazette notification,” he said. 

The Transport Minister added that this would allow the authorities to raise the fees charged for temporary licenses issued to foreign nationals. (Newswire)

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The office of the Department of Motor Traffic, established within the premises of the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, has issued driver’s licences to 1,338 foreign tourists.

According to reports, this licensing counter was set up on 03rd August to facilitate self-driving options for foreigners visiting Sri Lanka. 

Previously, tourists seeking a driver’s licence had to visit the Department of Motor Traffic office located in Werahera.

According to the Department of Motor Traffic,  between 03-07 August, a total of 1,338 licences were issued, with the highest number being issued on 07th August.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Tourist Drivers’ Association has expressed opposition to the issuance of driver’s licences to foreigners for a nominal fee of Rs. 2,000.

Its representative, Amila Koralage, stated that this move has created significant unfairness for those engaged in the profession. (Newswire)

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A focused discussion was held on Monday on the challenges Sri Lankan citizens face in using their driving licences overseas, especially in Italy and other European countries, under the framework of the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena, Commissioner General of the Department of Motor Traffic Kamal Amarasinghe, Director General of the Europe Division Sugeeshwara Gunaratne, and senior officials from the Highways Ministry and the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra said key concerns, including issues arising from incompatible licence formats and varying recognition standards across countries, were reviewed during the discussion. 

He further said that the discussion emphasized the need to modernize and digitize Sri Lanka’s licencing system, ensuring international compatibility and ease of verification.

“This collaborative effort marks a lucrative opportunity to enhance compliance, promote digital transformation, and remove practical barriers for our diaspora, especially migrant workers,” he said. 

Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra added that the government was committed to pursuing practical, technology-driven solutions that protect the rights of its citizens and reflect Sri Lanka’s commitment to global standards. (Newswire)

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The Panadura Chief Magistrate has ordered the lifelong suspension of the licence of a bus driver for having driven a private bus while under the influence of alcohol, it was reported. 

Issuing the judgment, Panadura Chief Magistrate Champika Rajapaksa also imposed a fine on the accused.

The accused, who had been transporting employees of a private organization from Panadura to Kalutara, had been inspected by the Police.

As the smell of alcohol had lingered on him, the Police had investigated him further, during which it was confirmed that he was under the influence of alcohol. 

Based on the argument that the driver had risked the lives of his passengers, the Panadura Chief Magistrate suspended his licence and imposed a fine. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Police have issued a reminder to all motorists to carry the necessary licences and documents when on the road.

In a post on social media, the Police requested those who have vehicles to check if they have the following documents before travelling.

• Standard documents-

Drivers’ Licence

Revenue Licence

Vehicle Insurance

Emission Certificate

• For heavy vehicles –

A vehicle fitness certificate is required

• For Electric or Hybrid vehicles- 

An Emission Certificate is not necessary. (Newswire)

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Cabinet approval has been granted for the issuance of Light Vehicle Driving Licences for Hearing Impaired persons.

According to the government, Cabinet approval was granted in November 2022 for the implementation of a pilot project in Gampaha District to provide Light Vehicle Driving Licences for the Hearing Impaired.

Accordingly, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Transport and Highways to take necessary steps based on the results of the pilot project and the recommendations of the committee headed by the Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Highways regarding the implementation of this project.

As per the Cabinet decision, driver’s licences are thereafter, to be issued to Hearing Impaired persons covering the entire island on a bi-annual renewal basis. (NewsWire) 

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Driving licences delayed due to printing issues will be issued within the next six months, the Department of Motor Traffic announced.

DMT Commissioner General Nishantha Anuruddha said a delay was caused in printing driving licences due to the unavailability of printers.

Announcing that three printers were received by the department on Monday, he said the printing of licences will recommence with nearly 900,000 driving licences to be printed.

“Even though the issues in importing licence cards, due to the inability to open the LCs (Letters of Credit) as a result of the economic crisis, were resolved, a key issue we faced was the shortage of printing machines,” he explained. 

With the arrival of three more printing machines, the DMT Commissioner General said printing activities will recommence this week and they expect to complete printing the driving licences within 06 months. (NewsWire)

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The five liquor production companies whose licences were recently suspended owe tax arrears amounting to Rs. 2,715 million to the government, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya informed the Parliament.

Briefing the Parliament yesterday, the State Minister said the total tax default with the three per cent penalty for default stands at Rs. 6,721 million.

Stating that the outstanding taxes cannot be collected by closing these companies, State Minister Siyambalapitiya said they have been given a deadline of December 29 this year to settle their tax arrears.

He further said that the licences of four liquor manufacturing companies have already been suspended due to their failure to pay tax arrears.

However, among the companies, only one company has entered into legal proceedings, so the relevant licence has been extended until November 13, which is the next court date, the State Minister revealed. 

State Minister Siyambalapitiya added that the licences of the five companies will not be extended and legal action will be initiated thereafter.

State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya made the statements in response to a question raised by Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa. 

Earlier in November, it was reported that the licences of Synergy Distilleries (Pvt) Ltd, Finnland Distilleries Corporation (Pvt) Ltd, Wayamba Distilleries, W M Mendis & Co Ltd and the Randenigala Distilleries Lanka (Pvt) Ltd were suspended. 

Sri Lanka’s Excise Department said at the time that the licences of the five liquor manufacturing companies were suspended after their annual licences had not been renewed due to the failure to pay tax arrears. (NewsWire)

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