Sri Lanka to issue temporary driving licenses for tourists from August 2025
Posted by Editor on July 19, 2025 - 8:48 am
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The Department of Motor Traffic has announced that a procedure to issue temporary driving licenses at Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake for tourists arriving in Sri Lanka will commence in August 2025.
Commissioner General Kamal Amarasinghe stated that the program is currently in its final stage of preparation.
He mentioned that a few remaining legal formalities are expected to be completed soon, after which the program can be launched.
Temporary driving licenses will be issued for periods of 14 and 30 days.
Furthermore, Kamal Amarasinghe added that tourists staying in Sri Lanka for longer periods will have the opportunity to obtain a driving license valid for up to eight years.
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May be additional income to SL. However, many European countries issue International Driving License.
It is absolutely ludicrous that most of the other first ad second world countries have excellent driver training and licensing procedures and as a result, drivers from those countries are miles better than SL drivers. But, when they come here, including those with the international driving licence issued by the UK AA, need to go to the SL AA office, waste time and pay dosh to the SL AA to fatten their coffers . At least under the new system money will go the treasury.