Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in charge of the Traffic Control and Road Safety Division W.P.J. Senadheera has warned police officers against refusing to accept valid digital insurance cards from motorists.
Speaking at a media briefing, DIG Senadheera said officers attached to the Gampaha and Padukka Police Stations had recently caused unnecessary inconvenience to members of the public by rejecting digital insurance cards.
He said directives issued by the Inspector General of Police require all police stations islandwide to accept digital insurance cards issued by 14 leading general insurance companies, in accordance with an additional directive issued by the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL) effective from May 5, 2026.
The DIG noted that digital insurance cards have full legal recognition under the Electronic Transactions Act No. 19 of 2006.
He said police officers can verify insurance details in real time if a motorist is unable to produce a physical copy of the digital card by using the 1338# USSD service, sending an SMS to 1338, or contacting the toll-free 1338 hotline.
Following the incidents, OICs of all 607 police stations across the country have been instructed to re-brief their officers on the requirement to accept digital insurance cards.
Motorists who encounter police officers refusing to accept valid digital insurance cards have been urged to inform the relevant OIC or contact the Traffic Headquarters special hotline on 070 47 55 600.
DIG Senadheera warned that strict disciplinary action would be taken against officers who violate the instructions.
