Car Registrations Jumped 248% This Year — So Why Do Sales Feel Slower Lately?

The Department of Motor Traffic says 48,650 new motor cars were registered in the first ten months of 2026 — up 248% from the same period last year, when import restrictions were still biting. Add three-wheelers and motorcycles and total registrations hit 371,141. But anyone watching month-to-month numbers knows it's not that simple: the maximum loan-to-value on vehicle financing was cut from 50% down to 40% this year, and several recent months have looked noticeably quieter than earlier in 2026. One side says the yearly jump proves years of pent-up demand from import bans are finally clearing, and dealers are busier than ever. The other side says you're comparing against an artificially low 2025 base, and the real month-on-month trend is a market cooling as buyers struggle with bigger down payments and expensive leases. Which matches what you're actually seeing — fuller showrooms or quieter ones? Dealers and recent buyers, what's happening on your end right now? ඔයාලා දන්නවද, ගාල කරගත්ත වාහන ගාණ වැඩි වුණාට, ඇත්තටම වෙළඳපොළ හොඳින් තියෙනවද?