Ports and Civil Aviation Deputy Minister Janith Ruwan Kodithuwakku announced that arrangements are underway to establish a dedicated counter at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to issue temporary driving licences to foreign visitors upon arrival.
The initiative aims to simplify the current process, which requires foreigners to travel to the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) office in Werahera—a step the Minister described as an unnecessary burden in terms of both time and cost.
“Necessary approvals for this project have already been secured, and we expect to open the counter within the first two weeks of next month,” Deputy Minister Kodithuwakku said.
When questioned about payment methods, he stated that a final decision on whether licence fees must be paid in foreign currency is yet to be made. However, he added that if the service is offered at the airport, payment in foreign currency will likely be mandatory.
A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism confirmed that the Transport Ministry has formally requested a designated space within the airport for this new service.
The proposed counter is expected to improve convenience for international tourists and business travellers, aligning with broader government efforts to enhance tourism infrastructure and streamline services for visitors.
