Misuse of driving licence by tourists
by Kurulu Kariyakarawana
The Department of Immigration and Emigration will team up with the
Registrar of Motor Vehicles to prevent the misuse of driving licence as
a form of identity, by foreign tourists in instances where their
identity has been questioned by the authorities.
The two departments are holding discussions to find a solution to the
problem in the issue of driving licence to tourists who arrive here for
a short stay. The decision was made considering several instances where
overstaying tourists had tried to produce their driving licence instead
of their passports to the authorities.
The tourists who arrive with a one year visa, apply and obtain the
driving licence which is valid upto eight years.
The Controller of the Department of Immigration and Emigration
Chulananda Perera told the Sunday Observer that the department had
discovered this anomaly and sought the assistance of the RMV to
formulate a method to issue temporary licences to tourists.
|