Transport Minister orders DMT to fast-track services

Transport Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi has instructed her Ministry officials to further expand one-day services, including vehicle registration, issuance of driving licenses and transfer of vehicles provided by the Department of Motor Traffic to overcome the backlog caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing a meeting of DMT officials at the Transport Ministry, she said that a large number of people had to postpone the services they wanted from the DMT owing to the closure of the offices, following the pandemic. Therefore, the DMT officials should fast track their services, she said.

At present the one-day driving licence issuance service is only available at the Werahera, Hambantota and Anuradhapura offices of the Department of Motor Traffic and the one-day vehicle registration service is only available at Narahenpita, Gampaha, Anuradhapura, Hambantota, Kurunegala and Jaffna offices. In addition, online services are provided only from the offices at Werahera, Hambantota, Anuradhapura, Kalutara, Gampaha, Kandy, Kurunegala and Moneragala.

Minister Wanniarachchi instructed the Department to further expand the one-day services through the branch offices established in all districts countrywide.

The Minister said that the implementation of projects such as the e-motoring system, introduction of a courier system for distribution of number plates, integration of services between the Department of Motor Traffic and Transport Medical Institute would further facilitate the clients and minimise delays. The DMT handles approximately 2,000 driving licenses, 1,500 vehicle transfer licenses and 1,200 vehicle registrations per day.

State Transport Minister, Dilum Amunugama, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport Monty Ranatunga, Secretary to the State Ministry of Transport, Lalith de Alwis, Commissioner of the DMT Sumith Alahakoon and other ministry officials were present on the occasion.