Pilot Project to Introduce the Demerit Points System for Traffic Offences Begins

Under the reforms introduced in line with the National Transport Action Plan launched to improve the safety of Sri Lanka’s public transport system, a Demerit Points System is set to be introduced for all drivers who commit traffic offences.

The pilot project will be implemented from October 1, 2026 until March 2027. During this six-month period, drivers will be given time to become familiar with the system and adapt to the new road safety mechanism.

A special media briefing to raise awareness about this national road safety initiative was held today (28) at the Ministry Auditorium 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 jointly implemented under the guidance of the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, with the participation of the Sri Lanka Police, Ministry of Digital Economy, Department of Motor Traffic, LankaPay, GovTech and other government and affiliated institutions.

All drivers using expressways and highways will be required to become familiar with and adapt to the system during the six-month pilot period.

Following the completion of the pilot project, the Demerit Points System is planned to be implemented on a permanent basis from March 2027.

The system is expected to apply to 33 traffic offences.

In parallel, the process of making payments to government institutions online through GovPay has also been further streamlined.

The online traffic fine payment system was initially launched as a pilot project in April 2025, covering routes connected to Kurunegala and Anuradhapura.

It was later expanded to cover the entire country from December 2025.

Payments through GovPay can be made online using banks, financial institutions and FinTech applications.