Minister orders urgent reforms at Werahera motor traffic office

Colombo, Dec. 19 (Daily Mirror) - The Transport, Highways and Urban DevelopmentMinister Bimal Ratnayake, has directed a series of urgent administrative and service reforms following an inspection tour of the Werahera office of the Department of Motor Traffic today (18).

During the visit, the Minister instructed officials to immediately introduce a queue management system and to display name boards in all three languages near the main entrance to improve public access and efficiency.

He further ordered that a new Motor Transport digital system (DMT System) be made mandatory by April 30, 2026. In addition, services without prior appointments are to be suspended from February 28, 2026, following adequate public notice.

Among other key decisions, the Minister directed officials to urgently provide facilities and resources for volunteers, expedite the printing of driving licences currently in backlog, and improve facilities at the Werahera office for applicants who face difficulties obtaining licences through the standard procedures of the National Transport Medical Institute.

Legal arrangements are also to be prepared to extend the first renewal period of driving licences up to the age of 35, along with an analysis of the potential impact on government revenue.

Representatives from the Ministry of Digital Economy, the Ministry of Transport, the Commissioner General of the Department of Motor Traffic, and several senior officials were present during the inspection and discussions.