Mar 27, Colombo: Sri Lanka Motor Traffic Department today launched the new high-tech and high security driving license, called 'Smart Card'.

B. Wijayarathne, Commissioner General of Motor Traffic Department said the main reason to introduce the new driving license is to prevent the issuing of fraud licenses.

Due to new security system it is not easy to copy the data that is fed into the electronic chip inserted in the license, he added.

The new driving license will be printed according to the ISO 18013 standard and international specifications, the Commissioner said.

The charges for the driving license have also been increased by the Department with the introduction of this new license.

According to the Commissioner Rs. 1,700 will be charged to issue the driving license for one category of vehicle while Rs. 2,000 will be charged for two categories and Rs 2,250 for three categories.

It was also mentioned that there is no need to hand over photographs with the new applications.