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 returning to the country without obtaining additional permits or paying unnecessary fees.
Addressing Parliament, the Minister said Sri Lankans who hold valid driving licences issued in Sri Lanka are legally permitted to drive during visits to the country.
He also explained that Sri Lankans who surrendered their local driving licences to foreign authorities in exchange for licences issued by those countries can obtain a Sri Lankan driving licence upon returning home by submitting the relevant documents to the authorities.
Meanwhile, those who have lost their Sri Lankan driving licences while living overseas can apply for replacements through the standard procedure, including filing a police complaint.
The Minister said these arrangements apply to Sri Lankan citizens returning from any country, including Finland and Kuwait.
He emphasised that Sri Lankan citizens are entitled to access driving licence services under the existing procedures without making unnecessary additional payments.
The clarification was made in Parliament in response to concerns about driving licence procedures for Sri Lankans living overseas.
