• Contract of no. plate supplier extended to address issuing delays 

The Government has directed the Postal Department and the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) to accelerate the distribution of approximately one million driving licences currently held in post offices and regional DMT offices, in response to significant delays in licence distribution, affecting individuals who have been waiting for their permanent licences for up to three years.

Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Vijitha Herath, addressed the issue during the weekly Cabinet press conference held yesterday (6), noting that the distribution backlog is not due to printing delays but rather issues with delivery. “The delay is not because of any printing issues but because of problems in distribution,” he stated. According to Herath, the Postal Department cited its involvement in two major Elections as a reason for the distribution delay, explaining that Election duties had diverted resources and caused a backlog. As a result, the DMT has been instructed to prioritise the delivery of licences from their regional offices to expedite the process. 

This delay has caused inconvenience for a significant number of people, with some still waiting for their permanent licences for several years. The Government is now actively working to address the distribution backlog and ensure that licences reach applicants in a timely manner.

Herath also discussed delays in issuing vehicle number plates, noting that new tenders are necessary for the production of number plates. He added that the Government has submitted a Cabinet paper to extend the contract of the current supplier for an additional six months until the tender process for a new supplier is completed. “The number plates would be issued as soon as possible,” he assured.