Police warn officers over rejection of valid digital insurance cards

Sri Lanka Police have issued a fresh warning to officers across the country, stressing that motorists presenting valid digital motor insurance cards must not be turned away and that officers who disregard existing instructions could face disciplinary action.

The warning comes amid complaints from motorists and incidents circulating on social media in which police officers allegedly refused to accept electronic insurance documents.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Senadheera of the Police Traffic Control and Road Safety Range said the refusal to recognise valid digital insurance cards amounts to a failure to comply with instructions issued by the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

He referred to a recent incident involving the Officer-in-Charge of the Traffic Division at Padukka Police Station, as well as an earlier incident involving an officer attached to the Gampaha Headquarters Police.

DIG Senadheera said all police stations had already been instructed to accept digital insurance cards issued by authorised insurance companies. The Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka has also provided Police with information on digital insurance cards issued by approximately 14 insurance companies.

The acceptance of electronic insurance documents is further supported by the Electronic Transactions Act, No. 19 of 2006, he noted.

Insurance can be verified without the card

Police officers have also been given several options to confirm whether a vehicle has valid insurance if a motorist is unable to immediately produce the digital card.

Verification can be carried out through the *138# service, by SMS using the vehicle registration number or insurance policy number, or by contacting the 138 call centre.

Importantly, the verification does not necessarily have to be performed using the motorist’s own phone. DIG Senadheera said the process can be completed using a police officer’s phone or any other available mobile device.

Following the recent complaints, he said arrangements had been made to remind all 607 police stations of the procedures governing the acceptance and verification of digital insurance cards.

Motorists can lodge complaints

Motorists who encounter difficulties with officers refusing to recognise a valid digital insurance card can raise the matter with the relevant Officer-in-Charge or a senior police officer.

Complaints can also be submitted directly to the Traffic Control and Road Safety Range via WhatsApp on 070 475 5600, together with details relevant to the incident.

“Your digital insurance card is valid,” DIG Senadheera stressed, reiterating that officers have already been provided with the necessary instructions and methods to verify digital insurance coverage.

He further warned that officers who deliberately disregard those instructions could be regarded as having committed a serious dereliction of duty and may face action if a complaint is lodged.

The clarification is expected to provide motorists with greater confidence in using digital insurance documents, while reinforcing that police officers are required to follow the established verification procedures.