The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, Highways and Urban Development approved two Extraordinary Gazette Notifications issued under the Motor Traffic Act (Chapter 203).

Accordingly, approval was granted for the Regulations relating to the revision of fees for driving licences published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2463/04, and for the Regulations relating to the extension of the validity period of driving licences published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2467/52.

The approval was granted when the Ministerial Consultative Committee met in Parliament on 17.02.2026 under the Chairmanship of Minister Bimal Rathnayake. Deputy Ministers (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena and Eranga Gunasekara were also present at the meeting.

During the meeting, reports of two Sub-Committees appointed to identify solutions to issues in the transport sector were also presented to the Ministerial Consultative Committee.

The report of the Sub-Committee established to ensure the professional security of workers engaged in the informal transport sector was presented by its Chair, Deputy Minister H.M. Dinindu Saman Hennayake. The recommendations include providing Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF) contributions for private bus drivers and conductors, three-wheeler drivers, and those engaged in the transport sector through electronic platforms (app-based workers).

The report of the Sub-Committee appointed to formulate business models for the creation of additional services linked to the transport industry was presented by its Chair, Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe.

The Chair of the Ministerial Consultative Committee stated that attention would be given to examining the reports submitted by the Sub-Committees and implementing their recommendations.

In addition, Hon. Members of Parliament drew the Committee’s attention to shortcomings in transport services and road development projects in various parts of the country.

Deputy Ministers and several Hon. Members of Parliament representing both the Government and the Opposition participated in the Committee meeting.