Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Rathnayake has clarified that Sri Lankan citizens living overseas can use their valid Sri Lankan driving licences when visiting the country without obtaining additional permits or paying unnecessary fees.
Addressing Parliament, the Minister said Sri Lankan citizens who hold valid driving licences issued in Sri Lanka are legally permitted to drive during their visits to the country.
He also explained the procedure for individuals who have surrendered their Sri Lankan driving licences to foreign authorities in exchange for licences issued by those countries.
Such individuals can obtain a Sri Lankan driving licence upon returning to the country by submitting the relevant documents to the authorities, the Minister said.
Sri Lankans who have lost their local driving licences while residing overseas can also apply for replacements through the standard procedure, which includes filing a police complaint.
The Minister stressed that these arrangements apply to Sri Lankan citizens returning from any country, including Finland and Kuwait.
He further emphasised that citizens are entitled to access driving licence services under their existing rights without being required to make unnecessary additional payments.
The clarification was made in Parliament in response to concerns regarding the procedures applicable to Sri Lankans residing overseas.
