Tourist driving licence plan risks local livelihoods: Namal

11 August 2025 06:54 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 48 Bookmark

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Colombo, August 11 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer MP Namal Rajapaksa has raised concerns over the government’s proposal to issue driving licences to tourists upon arrival, questioning how such a decision was reached without consulting all relevant stakeholders.

In a post on X, Rajapaksa pointed out that the tourism industry is supported by thousands of tour guides and taxi operators whose livelihoods could be at risk if the decision is implemented without proper consultation.

“Sri Lanka already has a treaty in place allowing those with international driving licences to drive here. But it should be limited only to them,” he said.

Rajapaksa noted that during recent travels across the country, he had received numerous complaints from tour guides and taxi operators urging the government to engage in broader discussions before going ahead with a move that could have detrimental effects on the tourism sector.

Comments - 48

Rajapaks are disgrace to nation Monday, 11 August 2025 07:12 PM

The reduction of the wicked Rajapaks out of parliament to one rouge only is a good thing by the public. However, there's still a insane minority who voted SLPP.

4 44

Observer Tuesday, 12 August 2025 11:39 AM

How do you know all relevant stakeholders were not consulted. Unless you arrogate to yourself you are a stakeholder yourself.

2 13

Rahulan Monday, 11 August 2025 07:12 PM

This man is a pain in the back side. One notices less than 10% of people coming into Katunayake request for a driving* license. In fact most of the foreign diasporons Sri Lankans, who do not have a SriLankan license get it for a kick! Rs 2000.00 is nothing for them.

2 21

Priyan66 Monday, 11 August 2025 07:13 PM

Frog in the well. Every country has facilities for self driving. you try take political advantage from every possible way

2 34

Danny Monday, 11 August 2025 07:14 PM

Don’t be a baby still! Most of them are Lankan diaspora who had Sri Lankan license before while foreigners are well aware of bad driving habits and won’t take risks except for those with small scooters or mopeds!

1 31

Dr Tissa Fernando Monday, 11 August 2025 07:27 PM

Not all tourists drive. Only thise who seek adventure would drive. Visitors are allowed to drive with a valid international driving license in many countries. The bike, 3 wheeler, other car rental businesses could thrive . While a few opportunities may be lost , many other opportunities may come up. Namal's statement has no merits but only typical criticism of any initiative by the government.

1 26

Kumara Monday, 11 August 2025 07:31 PM

Able me and women tourists do not tourists guides.

0 6

Sam Monday, 11 August 2025 07:34 PM

Please take notes other countries, do not allow sri lankans to take driving licences in your countries.

0 11

Tour driver guide Vinod Monday, 11 August 2025 07:37 PM

In a competitive industry business evolves Namal. Tourist drivers and guides won't be out of work if tourism grows. They will be out of work if things don't change or be like the time of the Easter bombing and bankruptcy of your time. That's something that is beyond your understanding.

1 22

Hiran Monday, 11 August 2025 07:55 PM

What a clown! Lankan's collecting an international driving licence and driving in overseas countries is not an issue, but this initiative is criticised?

1 20

haha Monday, 11 August 2025 08:33 PM

these guys want continue to harass innocent tourist by over charge as they wish. This is the only country has no regulation on taxi fair

1 13

Lalla Monday, 11 August 2025 08:42 PM

If the Issue of temporary licence restricted to those who are holding driving licence in their country, what is the big issue?

0 10

Pathmaranjan Monday, 11 August 2025 08:56 PM

Everywhere in the world tourists can rent a vehicle and drive with International Driving Licence. Dont talk nonsense Namal. Not every tourist is going to drive in Sri Lanka where driving is very dangerous.

0 17

Ravi K Monday, 11 August 2025 08:58 PM

Scammers auto drivers are everywhere targeting tourists,mainly outside of popular hotels. We should stop such activities which damages our country’s reputation

0 13

Lk Monday, 11 August 2025 09:00 PM

Poor logics behind this . How many licenses have been given? What kind of licence was given ? Only 10 or 20 tourists will get it but it doesn’t matter and it would affect any local business as it has been claimed : Instead it will boost more and more tourism: Compare both pros and cons and see what is good or more profitable for our country.

1 16

Gobba Monday, 11 August 2025 09:35 PM

You are off the mark my friend. This is a basic right of the tourist and to its government who should provide the services. It's your fathers government that stole the wealth of the country. Try to stay relevant.

2 11

Mawella K Prematilleke Tuesday, 12 August 2025 12:05 AM

Namal Rajapakse now trying to be a philanthropist, also hurriedly made, saint, seeking to redeem the pain of an aggravated class. Tourist licences were earlier issued at RMV Werahara, Namal had then, no pain, but now issues at the Airport, an acute pain of resistance. The pain never found, when his notorious family ruled the country, also led himself. The real pain - Where was it during the fuel crisis, a company floated to act as an intermediate agent with an undisclosed deposit capital of $1.5 bio to supply fuel to Sri Lanka against Rupee convertibles. Surprisingly the agent is the main partner of Supreme Chichis Sat, with no declaration of how equity found and invested, on both companies.(Sat

3 14

Pol Gediya Tuesday, 12 August 2025 12:45 AM

I say moda keselgediya Namal, why don't you use your 5 liter Mustang and Lambo to transport tourists. The moda tuk tuk drivers can't even read a map or find an address in sri lanka. How can they transport tourists. Let tge tourists drive themselves.

3 11

Citizen Silva Tuesday, 12 August 2025 02:27 AM

This fool's brain is unfortunately limited to para-phrasing someone else's ideas. The real fear here is the accidents that can ensue when people who are not familiar with the road conditions and the local drivers mannerism at the wheel. To illustrate this let me explain what NZ observed. Travelling in remote areas in NZ drivers used to driving on the right of the road such as in Europe, US or Canada often met with accidents. You guessed it why? Add to this imagine the chaotic driving habits of our local drivers? a frightening combination at play.

4 8

Russel Harmmer Tuesday, 12 August 2025 04:20 AM

What nonsense you are talking Namal? This is a best plan to develop our tourism giving Tourist driving licence on arrival. Hay fool 100% tourists will not go for self driving and it will not affect the guides or Taxi operators. Don't talk bull shit in order to get support from the public. Anyway, you guy a crazy fellow like your dam Father Mahinda.

3 15

Prof. Julian Kanagaratnam Tuesday, 12 August 2025 04:30 AM

Who said Namal Baby? No one will be affected by this good move. I suppose you got up from your Coma stage. Because of your wrong thinking NPP Govt. will not change their plans. Better you go to school and study for another 10 years to become a matured man.

4 16

Dr. Ranjith Samarakoon Tuesday, 12 August 2025 04:32 AM

You make any X posts or any dam posts. AKD and his strong team will not dance according to your dam music Namal. Something wrong with your brain Namal, please consult a specialist.

5 13

kandy man Tuesday, 12 August 2025 04:38 AM

Who is complaining to you , must be the few cronies who were with you at the time you behave like a the prince of this country. The decision of the government is very good at a time the tourist are flowing to the country in vast numbers.

1 10

Robin Banks Tuesday, 12 August 2025 04:39 AM

I don’t know how you are going to carry out your brilliant economic vision from Welikada ( rajapaksa nivasa).

5 11

Sevandi Tuesday, 12 August 2025 06:07 AM

Though public lost interest in his 2 cents worth comments the tone of his voice and virulent attacks on the Govt. clearly indicates malicious intension which means nothing good but harm including his futile effort to stay relevant. Fruitless wriggling

5 15

PROFESSOR MARTIN FONSEKA Tuesday, 12 August 2025 06:08 AM

Defeated Potuwa Hora (MP came from the National List) people are not interested to hear your bull shit talks. Stop your nonsense allowing our Prestigious Government to go ahead with their great plans.

6 18

Dr. Milt Gunaratne - Senior Economist Tuesday, 12 August 2025 06:14 AM

Unlike deceiving the poor village folks now, you cannot cheat the educated people all over the island. Educated people know who you are and your dirty ugly family filled with lust. Shut your stinking mouth and get lost without interrupting the development work conducted by NPP Government.

6 14

Ignatius Tuesday, 12 August 2025 06:18 AM

Grow up. Change with the times.

2 10

Amaran Tuesday, 12 August 2025 07:05 AM

This is valid suggestion. This is VERY TRUE. Thanks, Hon Namal. The ADK government NEVER think of the adverse consequences.

20 9

Gx Tuesday, 12 August 2025 07:43 AM

Small crap boy! It doesn't make a difference because the tourist is not bringing along their vehicles with them. They are renting vehicles, so the taxi driver can rent his vehicle and make a better earning and do something else with his time...

1 9

Gx Tuesday, 12 August 2025 07:43 AM

Small crap boy! It doesn't make a difference because the tourist is not bringing along their vehicles with them. They are renting vehicles, so the taxi driver can rent his vehicle and make a better earning and do something else with his time...

1 8

Sadun Tuesday, 12 August 2025 08:22 AM

The problem is these rogue tour guides and taxi operators are bringing a bad name to inbound tourism by ripping them off!

0 11

Mano Perera Tuesday, 12 August 2025 08:42 AM

This person has no understanding of how the world works. Many tourists, including solo travellers and explorers, prefer to travel independently without a guide. Hiring a vehicle and self-driving is an essential part of tourism. Countries like Australia, the UK, the USA, and many others recognise foreign driving licences for a short period to accommodate tourists. This will help the country to grow more tourism.

1 13

Tilak Tuesday, 12 August 2025 08:54 AM

what decision if any did you or your father or any member of your family undertake after consulting the people

1 8

G.R.Perera Tuesday, 12 August 2025 09:02 AM

What a stupid statement! He's even dumber than he looks! What is the annual revenue % that t three wheeler would get from tourist hires? 2%? or 5% max? (tourists don't usually hire cars or SUVs) Cheap shot at trying to get some political milage! Idiot

6 9

Cecil Hedwige Tuesday, 12 August 2025 09:07 AM

This system has been going on for many years.Ex.my siblings are Australian citizens,whenever they come down home,they show their Australian license and obtain a temporary license from RMV.

0 2

Sam Tuesday, 12 August 2025 09:19 AM

True.but when you and your hooligan friends drive like loonies on the roads what can we expect, advice the government privately you can show some leadership.

0 4

wellwisher Tuesday, 12 August 2025 09:28 AM

stupid man not all the tourists self-drive and still the convenience of self should be made available like in all other countries

0 6

Umar Perera Tuesday, 12 August 2025 09:36 AM

Your family was and still is the biggest threat to our livelihoods. If you return the billions stolen we can reduce most of our debt as a nation

5 6

Just Seeking Attention With Useless Talk Tuesday, 12 August 2025 09:43 AM

A dumb narrative as expected from a “parachuted idiot” into parliament! This fella has no idea about the situation and just wants to blare out nonsense. Those who prefer to drive whilst visiting Sri Lanka will definitely have reasons in doing so. Those who order chauffeur driven vehicles will definitely have their reasons too. Being a regular visitor to Sri Lanka over the years, I now prefer to use those ride hailing vehicles instead of driving which is very stressful especially towards outstation areas.

7 15

factcheck Tuesday, 12 August 2025 11:41 AM

basically you are getting commission from tuk tuk mafia. is that what are you tying to say ?

0 7

Lanka putha Tuesday, 12 August 2025 12:38 PM

Is he a tubelight the union said it stright away 3or4 days before. Both slpp and sjb leaders are something.

0 0

sunil Tuesday, 12 August 2025 12:39 PM

Stupid argument. Foreigners can anyway drive with their international driving license. So where is the employment loss due to the new law

0 0

Ram P Tuesday, 12 August 2025 03:14 PM

Tourists DLs will permit them to drive and they must hire vehicles to drive. So the business shifts from Taxis or hiring cars to hire cars. When they hire they obtain insurance and must purchase fuel to run. So business is as usual in a different direction. Namal is dumb to understand

0 2

Ram P Tuesday, 12 August 2025 03:14 PM

Tourists DLs will permit them to drive and they must hire vehicles to drive. So the business shifts from Taxis or hiring cars to hire cars. When they hire they obtain insurance and must purchase fuel to run. So business is as usual in a different direction. Namal is dumb to understand

0 2

Guna Tuesday, 12 August 2025 08:47 PM

This kind of licence issuing is done in many of the south and southeast Asian countries. They have these procedures for tourist to do their traveling at a lower cost. This is a very good procedure. Namal is thinking or told by someone, about repercussions for taxi services, has looking only at taxi services issues. but he needs to look at wider benefits in foreign currency earns by letting tourists greater choices.

0 2

Ameer Wednesday, 13 August 2025 04:01 PM

Baby without your family SL would be better or top position in the world your advise 0000000

0 0

Ryan Lafaber Friday, 15 August 2025 11:34 PM

Taxi drivers are there to serve local population, tourists come to SL to explore the country, if you restrict with unnecessary regulations and if tourists look for elsewhere, loss would be for the entire country not for the few unregulated tuk drivers. Stupid idea by NR

0 1

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