“Don’t Lose Your Points”: Demerit Points System for Traffic Offences to Begin Pilot Project

A pilot project to introduce a Driver Demerit Points System for traffic offences will commence on October 1, 2026, as part of reforms being introduced under the National Transport Action Plan aimed at improving safety in Sri Lanka’s public transport sector.

The six-month pilot project will continue until March 2027. During this period, drivers will be given an opportunity to become familiar with the system and adapt to the new road-safety measures.

A special media briefing to raise awareness about the national programme for transport safety was held today (September 28) at the auditorium of the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development at Maganeguma Mahamedura, Koswatta, Battaramulla, under the patronage of Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake.

The six-month pilot project will be implemented jointly under the direction of the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, together with the Sri Lanka Police, Ministry of Digital Economy, Department of Motor Traffic, LankaPay, GovTech and other state and affiliated institutions.

All drivers travelling on expressways and major roads will be required to familiarise themselves with and adapt to the system during the six-month pilot period.

Following the completion of the pilot project, the Demerit Points System is scheduled to be implemented permanently from March 2027.

The system is expected to apply to 33 traffic offences.

Alongside this programme, arrangements have also been made to formalise online payments to government institutions through GovPay.

Online Payment of Traffic Fines

The online system for paying traffic fines, which was initially introduced as a pilot project in April 2025, was first implemented along the Kurunegala–Anuradhapura road network.

The system was subsequently expanded to cover the entire island from December 2025.

Through GovPay, motorists can make payments online using banks, financial institutions and fintech applications.

Minister Bimal Rathnayake

Speaking at the media briefing, Minister Bimal Rathnayake said that a sustainable programme aimed at improving safety in public transport had been initiated in December 2024.

He said it was essential to address the loss of more than 2,750 lives annually due to road accidents.

He also stressed the need to prevent the serious damage caused to the country’s Gross Domestic Product and the wider economy as a result of the loss of lives and destruction of property caused by road accidents.

He said the amount of foreign exchange lost by the country as a result was extremely significant.

The Minister said that when a citizen is issued a driving licence, it is not merely an asset or a right, but also a responsibility.

He said the six-month pilot project was being introduced with positive objectives and that the public needed time to adapt to the new system.

According to the Minister, the system would primarily affect those who drive while disregarding traffic laws.

He said the entire programme would operate on a digital infrastructure system.

The government expects to implement the programme nationwide from March 2027 as part of efforts to improve transport safety.

Officials Present

Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Avanthi Senaratne, Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Traffic Division W.P.J. Senadheera, Advisor to the Ministry of Digital Economy Sumudu Rathnayake, and LankaPay Chief Executive Officer Channa de Silva, together with a number of other officials, attended the media briefing.