Ponni Samba to be imported due to Keeri Samba shortage

A group of vehicle importers has requested the government to reduce taxes imposed on motor vehicles, reports say.

They have made the suggestion as part of professionals’ proposals for the Budget 2026.

They say the request was made with the aim of making vehicle ownership more affordable for the average citizen.

According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), vehicles worth USD 918 million have been imported between January – August this year, since the government granted permission on January 28, 2025,

In August alone, vehicles worth USD 249 million were imported.

However, vehicle importers point out that sales in the local market have dropped significantly in recent months.

Meanwhile, CBSL’s latest report reveals that by the end of the second quarter of this year, 82.6% of the total loans obtained by Sri Lankans from financial institutions are vehicle and gold loans.

220,538 new vehicles registered this year

Meanwhile, the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) states that 220,538 vehicles have been newly registered from January 28 to September this year.

The majority of these registrations were motorcycles, totalling 160,590.

In addition, 37,115 cars, 8,820 three-wheelers, 2,806 tractors, and 2,156 dual-purpose vehicles have been registered under 18 categories, according to the DMT.

Meanwhile, September recorded the highest number of vehicle registrations this year so far, with 48,957, while the lowest in January with 11,464 registrations.

The year 2015 remains the year with the highest number of new vehicle registrations since 2014, with a total of 668,907 vehicles registered.