News Today: Temporary driving licence for tourists in Sri Lanka limited to light vehicles

The Sri Lankan government has announced important changes regarding the temporary driving licence for tourists in Sri Lanka. These licences, issued at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and the Department of Motor Traffic Office in Werahera, will now be restricted strictly to light vehicles for personal use.

Leader of the House and Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, Bimal Rathnayake, informed Parliament that these licences are provided exclusively to allow tourists to drive cars or jeeps to transport themselves and their families during their stay. Importantly, the licences do not permit driving three-wheelers, taxis, or any other commercial vehicles.

The Minister clarified that this decision was taken due to safety concerns and to protect the livelihoods of the three-wheeler community, which heavily relies on tourism. He further noted that while three-wheeler licences were issued in the past, the government has stopped this practice to ensure fairness and minimize risks for visiting tourists.

Currently, the fee charged for a temporary licence is Rs. 2,000 (USD 6), which the government acknowledges as relatively low. The Minister confirmed that discussions with tourism industry representatives highlighted the need to increase the fee, as the current rate is not aligned with service costs or international standards.

He announced that a proposal will be submitted to the Cabinet to revise the fee structure. Once Cabinet approval is granted, the government will issue a new gazette notification to implement the higher charges.

These measures are part of the government’s efforts to balance tourist convenience, road safety, and industry fairness, while also improving revenue from the growing number of tourists visiting Sri Lanka.