Sri Lanka, Feb. 8 -- The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has launched reforms and taken urgent action to clear months-long backlogs in issuing official vehicle number plates and driving licences, Commissioner General of Motor Traffic Kamal Amarasinghe said yesterday. He said that the backlog was triggered by the expiration of a 25-year number plate supply contract in April 2024 and compounded by limitations in the Department's legacy system, as well as a surge in vehicle registrations following the Government's decision to lift import restrictions in early 2025.

The Department is upgrading its legacy, server-based system to a modern web-based platform to improve efficiency, streamline service delivery, and ensure that it can meet risin...