Sri Lanka’s DMT digital revamp targets corruption
The Government is expediting a comprehensive digital overhaul of motor vehicle registration database system to address decades-old inefficiencies and corruption while enabling it to automate first-time registrations and eliminate manual tampering, Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) sources confirmed.
A growing number of new vehicle owners is currently experiencing significant delays in obtaining Fuel Quota codes, primarily due to a lack of synchronisation between the Fuel Quota issuance system and the vehicle registration database maintained by the department.
This issue is not isolated, it is affecting recent new and transfer vehicle purchasers who, despite completing their registrations, remain unable to access the fuel allocation system and get registered, several vehicle owners complained. .
The root cause appears to be the QR issuance platform’s reliance on DMT registration data that is not being updated in a timely or efficient manner, and due to obsolescence in the system installed in 1996 and at present not maintained by the system developer but technically unqualified DMT staff.
This was disclosed by DMT Commissioner General Kamal Amarasinghe at a meeting of the Committee of Public Accounts (COPA), recently.
As of March 2026, the DMT e-registration system, commonly known as the e-Motoring project, is in a critical transitional phase with a mandatory deadline for full implementation set for this year, a senior official of the department told the Sunday Times Business.
Despite being in development for years, the project has faced significant delays since 2019 due to legal disputes, space constraints, and technical vendor issues, he added.
2019–2020: The project stalled primarily because the DMT Narahenpita office lacked the physical space required for the private partner’s operations, according to official documents.
2021–2023: Legal snags emerged following the exit of an international partner (Face Technologies), leading to contract renegotiations and pricing disputes due to inflation.
2024: The Commissioner General confirmed the project was “restarted” after price adjustments were submitted for Cabinet approval. Investigations were also launched into past mismanagement of funds related to earlier failed IT initiatives.
The COPA has forwarded a DMT report to the Attorney General in March 2026, aiming to address 25 cases of rampant corruption and the disappearance of investigation files.
This seeks to enforce accountability and implement systemic reforms within the DMT to eradicate irregularities.
Further concerns have been raised regarding the effective utilisation of public funds. Substantial fees are collected from citizens for vehicle registration and related services; however, there appears to be minimal reinvestment in infrastructure upgrades or service improvement.
Recent findings presented during investigations by the COPA have also highlighted alleged irregularities, including fraudulent vehicle registrations. These revelations further underscore the risks associated with maintaining outdated and poorly managed systems.
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