Improving public convenience and reducing long-standing delays at the Werahera office of the Department of Motor Traffic were placed in sharp focus following an inspection by Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Ratnayake on December 18, 2025.
Emphasising the need for smoother service delivery, the Minister instructed officials to immediately implement a queue management system and ensure that trilingual name boards are displayed prominently near the main entrance to assist the public.
As part of a broader shift towards digitalisation, the Minister announced that a new Motor Transport digital system (DMT System) will be compulsory from April 30, 2026. He also stated that, with prior notice to the public, walk-in services without appointments will be discontinued from February 28, 2026.
Attention was also drawn to current operational bottlenecks. The Minister directed officials to fast-track the printing of driving licences that remain in backlog, provide adequate facilities for volunteers assisting the public, and introduce special arrangements at the Werahera office for applicants who face difficulties completing licensing procedures through the National Transport Medical Institute.
In addition, legal measures are to be drafted to extend the first renewal period of driving licences up to 35 years of age, alongside an assessment of how the change could affect state revenue.
Officials from the Ministry of Digital Economy, the Ministry of Transport, the Commissioner General of the Department of Motor Traffic, and other senior officers participated in the inspection and subsequent discussions.
