Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development, Bimal Rathnayake, today provided a clarification in Parliament regarding the process for Sri Lankan citizens living abroad to obtain and use driving licenses within the country.
He pointed out that if a Sri Lankan citizen residing overseas already holds a valid driving license issued in Sri Lanka, they may use that license to drive vehicles legally and without any hindrance upon returning to the country from abroad.
Furthermore, the Minister stated that if a Sri Lankan, while residing abroad, surrendered their Sri Lankan driving license to obtain a driving license in that foreign country, they are eligible to reclaim their Sri Lankan driving license upon their return by submitting the relevant documentation.
Rathnayake also noted that if a Sri Lankan citizen living abroad has lost their Sri Lankan driving license, they may follow the standard procedure—which includes filing a police complaint—to obtain a new license.
Accordingly, the Transport Minister further emphasised that Sri Lankan citizens are able to obtain driving license services—by virtue of their legal citizenship rights—without having to incur unnecessary additional expenses.
