Sri Lanka Introduces Digital Motor Insurance Cards

Insurance companies in Sri Lanka have officially begun issuing Digital Motor Insurance Cards from May 1, 2026, following a joint decision by the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, the Insurance Association of Sri Lanka, and other industry stakeholders, police said.

To support the rollout of the new system, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has instructed all police stations islandwide to recognize and accept digital insurance documents during inspections and official procedures.

Digital Access and Legal Recognition

Under the new process, motorists can now access their insurance coverage through digital cards available via mobile applications provided by insurance companies. Policyholders may also request printed insurance certificates if required.

Police stated that these digital insurance documents are legally valid under the Electronic Transactions Act No. 19 of 2006, which recognizes the legal validity of electronic records and transactions.

National Verification System Introduced

Authorities have also launched a National Insurance Verification System to allow instant verification of insurance policies by both the public and law enforcement officers.

The service can be accessed by dialing *1338# or by sending an SMS to 1338 with either the vehicle registration number or policy number.

Police advised motorists to enter vehicle numbers without spaces between letters and numbers. For older registration numbers containing “SRI” (ශ්‍රී), the letters should be entered in English when using the verification service.

Additional Support Services

A dedicated hotline linked to the 1338 platform has also been introduced, allowing users to connect directly with the customer service divisions of their respective insurance providers.

Police confirmed that all inquiries and SMS services provided through the 1338 platform are free of charge.

Existing Physical Cards Still Valid

Although digital insurance cards are now in use, existing physical insurance cards will remain valid until their expiry dates. Temporary insurance covers will also continue to be issued for the time being, though authorities indicated they may eventually be phased out.

Police further noted that if motorists are unable to display the digital card directly, a printed photocopy of the insurance document may still be accepted, provided officers can verify its “Active” status through the 1338 system.