May 11, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has officially launched a digital motor insurance system, allowing motorists to carry and present their insurance details electronically from May 01, 2026, according to the police.
The initiative has been introduced through a joint effort involving the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, the Insurance Association of Sri Lanka and several stakeholders in the insurance sector, marking a significant step towards the digitisation of public services in the country.
As part of the transition, the Inspector General of Police has instructed all police stations across the island to recognise digital motor insurance documents as legally acceptable during roadside inspections, traffic checks and other official procedures.
Under the new arrangement, motorists can access their insurance certificates through mobile applications provided by their respective insurance companies. While the digital version will now serve as the primary proof of insurance, customers who prefer traditional documentation may still request printed certificates.
Authorities stated that the electronic insurance documents are legally recognised under the provisions of the Electronic Transactions Act No. 19 of 2006, which grants legal validity to electronic records and digital transactions.
To improve transparency and simplify verification, a National Insurance Verification System has also been introduced. The platform enables both members of the public and law enforcement officers to instantly confirm the validity of insurance policies using either a vehicle registration number or policy number.
Motorists can access the verification service by dialling *1338# or by sending an SMS to 1338. Police advised users to enter registration numbers without spaces and clarified that older vehicle numbers containing “SRI” should be typed using English characters when using the system.
In addition, the 1338 platform now includes a dedicated customer support feature connecting policyholders directly with their insurance providers for assistance related to claims, policy details and verification issues. Officials confirmed that all inquiries and SMS-based services provided through the platform will be free of charge.
Although digital insurance cards have now been rolled out, existing physical insurance cards will continue to remain valid until their expiry dates. Temporary insurance certificates will also still be issued for the time being, though authorities signalled that paper-based temporary documentation could eventually be discontinued as the digital system becomes fully established.
Police further noted that in instances where motorists are unable to display the digital document on a mobile device, officers may temporarily accept printed photocopies, provided the insurance status can be successfully verified through the national database.