Vehicle registrations in Sri Lanka continued to grow in September, recording a 27 percent increase compared to the previous month, according to Colombo-based brokerage J B Securities. Total registrations reached 48,708 during the month.
Car registrations rose from 2,329 in August to 4,268 in September, while SUVs and crossovers increased from 3,800 to 5,813. Crossovers have emerged as a popular segment, surpassing sedans and hatchbacks in demand. Combined car and crossover registrations totaled 10,081 in September, up from 6,137 in August, exceeding pre-crisis levels.
Motorcycle registrations also increased, with 32,626 units registered in September compared to 27,585 in August. Before the economic crisis, monthly motorcycle registrations ranged between 30,000 and 35,000. Three-wheeler registrations rose to 3,015 in September, up from 2,497 in August, although pre-crisis figures averaged around 10,000 per month.
The rising cost of three-wheelers, which were priced around Rs. 500,000–600,000 in 2015, now averages Rs. 2 million due to high taxes and currency depreciation.
Despite high import taxes on cars—approximately a third of the retail price—vehicles are currently being imported without money printing, and there is no shortage of foreign exchange. Vehicles remain a significant source of government revenue, and restrictions on car imports typically impact both state income and overall economic activity.
