Guide8 min read4 views
Updated 9 November 2026 · Written by the Wahanaya.lk team
Yes, you can sell a car in Sri Lanka from overseas by giving a registered Power of Attorney to someone in Sri Lanka, signed before a Sri Lankan embassy or consular officer, then used by your attorney to sign the RMV transfer forms on your behalf.
Yes. Sri Lankan law lets you appoint someone in Sri Lanka as your attorney through a Power of Attorney (POA), and that person can then sign the sale and the Registration of Motor Traffic (RMV) transfer paperwork on your behalf. You don't need to be physically present in Sri Lanka to sell your car, but you do need a properly executed and registered POA — not just a WhatsApp message or a casual letter to your relative.
A Power of Attorney is a legal document where you (the "principal") give someone else (the "attorney") the right to act for you in specific matters, such as selling your vehicle, signing transfer forms, and collecting or handling the sale proceeds. Without a valid POA, the RMV / Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has no legal basis for letting anyone else sign your transfer documents, because the current registered owner is normally required to sign the MTA 6 form themselves.
You sign it at the Sri Lankan embassy, high commission, or consulate in the country where you're living, in front of an authorised consular officer, as set out under Sri Lanka's Consular Functions Act. If there's no Sri Lankan diplomatic mission nearby, the document can instead be executed before an officer who is authorised to attest such documents under the law of that country. This is different from a POA signed inside Sri Lanka, which is attested by a local Notary Public in front of two witnesses.
A vague, general POA ("to manage my affairs in Sri Lanka") is risky and may be rejected or challenged. For a vehicle sale, the document should clearly state:
Being this specific protects you and makes it easier for the buyer and the RMV counter staff to accept the document without delay.
Once the POA is signed abroad, the original document must be sent to Sri Lanka and registered with the Registrar General's Department (RGD). As of November 2026, per rgd.gov.lk, you'll generally need to submit the POA along with an affidavit from the attorney, a self-certified copy of your passport bio page, and certified copies of the attorney's NIC, passport, or driving licence. A POA executed outside Sri Lanka should be registered within three months of the date of attestation — longer than the one-month window given for a POA signed within Sri Lanka. Because these windows and document lists can change, confirm the current requirement directly with the RGD or a notary before you rely on it.
As of November 2026, per rgd.gov.lk, registering a Power of Attorney costs Rs. 1,750 for normal processing or Rs. 2,500 if you need it done faster. On top of this, you'll typically pay a notary's fee for preparing and attesting the document (this varies and is negotiable), plus a stamp duty charge. Fees and charges change from time to time, so check the current rate with the RGD or your notary before you budget for this.
Once the POA is registered, your attorney can act in your place at the RMV counter. The transfer still goes through the same documents everyone else uses: the MTA 6 form (application for transfer of ownership) and the MTA 8 form (notice of transfer of vehicle possession), along with the original Certificate of Registration (CR book), a valid revenue licence, and NIC copies of both the seller's side and the buyer. Your attorney signs the MTA 6 "for and on behalf of" you, and should bring the original registered POA plus their own NIC to the RMV or DMT office. The DMT's own published process also allows a one-day transfer service at the Head Office through an authorised agent, with Deputy or Assistant Commissioner approval, when the registered owner isn't present. After the sale, the seller's side must send Copy C of the MTA 8 form to the RMV by registered post within 14 days — don't skip this step even if you're overseas, because it's what formally tells the RMV you no longer own the car.
No. A simple letter of authority is only meant for narrow situations, such as letting a family member or friend drive your car while you're away. It does not give anyone the legal right to sign ownership transfer documents or collect sale money for you. If you try to use just a letter instead of a proper registered POA, the RMV counter is likely to refuse the transfer, and you could also be exposed to disputes later if the "sale" is ever challenged.
If you're buying from someone who isn't present and is represented by an attorney, ask to see the original registered POA (not a photocopy), check that it specifically covers this vehicle by registration number and chassis/engine number, and confirm it has actually been registered with the RGD rather than just signed abroad. It's also worth checking the vehicle's basic details and condition independently — see our safety tips before you hand over any money, and browse comparable listings on /vehicles or run a price check to make sure the asking price is reasonable. If you're planning to finance the purchase, our leasing calculator can help you work out a monthly payment before you commit.
Selling a car from abroad takes a bit more paperwork up front, but it's a well-established process once the POA is properly signed and registered. If anything about your specific case looks unusual, like a joint-owned vehicle, an outstanding lease, or a POA signed years ago, ask in the Wahanaya forum before you proceed, or when you're ready to list the car, post it on Wahanaya.
If you lose or damage your vehicle's revenue licence, first report it to the police, then apply for a duplicate at the Divisional Secretariat office linked to your vehicle's registered address, with the police complaint, CR book copy, insurance and NIC.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
You transfer your No Claim Bonus (NCB) by getting an NCB confirmation letter from your current insurer and handing it to your new insurer when you insure the new vehicle. NCB belongs to you as the policyholder, not to the vehicle, so it moves with you even if you change cars or insurers.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
Get your insurance and VET emission certificate ready first, then renew through the eRL system or any Divisional Secretariat using your CR book (or MTA 11 and CMT 52 if the transfer hasn't finished) plus, from 1 November 2026, a TIN certificate.
Wahanaya.lk team6 min read
Questions or your own experience? Share it here.
No comments yet. Be the first.
