55,000 Vehicles Imported In January & Rs. 3.5B Revenue From Vehicle Registrations In Just One Month

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has recorded its highest-ever monthly vehicle import volume, following the government’s decision to lift the long‑standing import ban that had been in place since 2019. 

According to Motor Traffic Commissioner General Kamal Amarasinghe, around 55,000 vehicles were registered in January this year, marking an unprecedented surge in imports.

The influx has also boosted state revenue significantly. Amarasinghe confirmed that the government earned over Rs. 3.5 billion in January alone through taxes and related fees associated with the newly registered vehicles.

Sri Lanka had halted vehicle imports in 2019, citing economic pressures and the need to manage foreign exchange reserves.

The policy remained in place for nearly five years until the Cabinet granted approval in October 2024 to re‑open imports under a three‑phase system.

Under this phased approach, the government initially relaxed restrictions for specific vehicle categories, eventually allowing the resumption of private-use vehicle imports, marking the first time in half a decade that individuals were permitted to bring in personal vehicles.