News6 min read3 views
Updated 11 November 2026 · Written by the Wahanaya.lk team
The past 48 hours brought wider DMT one-day and regular services, a deadly three-bus pile-up on the A9 at Rambewa that renews safety concerns, fresh police road-death figures for 2026, and a slight rupee gain against the US dollar.
In the past two days, the Department of Motor Transport (DMT, still widely called the RMV) widened how you can book its services, a three-bus crash on the A9 in Anuradhapura District killed several people and injured around 70, police released fresh 2026 road-death figures, and the rupee edged up slightly against the US dollar. None of these change fees or taxes overnight, but each one affects how you buy, sell, insure or drive a vehicle this month.
The DMT says it has widened the methods for getting one-day and regular services, effective from its 9 November 2026 announcement, reported by Hiru News. One-day services — covering new vehicle registration, ownership transfer, driving-licence matters and dispute resolution — can be booked by phone through regional numbers for districts including Colombo, Gampaha, Kurunegala, Hambantota, Anuradhapura and Jaffna, or online at dmtappointments.dmt.gov.lk. Regular services that don't need an appointment, such as vehicle-transfer documentation, are now also available at district and divisional secretariat offices, in addition to the Narahenpita head office.
Why it matters: if you're transferring a car you've sold or bought, you no longer have to queue at Narahenpita for routine paperwork — check your nearest district or divisional secretariat first. If you need a same-day registration or transfer slot, book early through the phone line for your district or the online portal, since one-day appointments fill up. Before you go, confirm your documents against our safety tips and post your ad once the transfer is done so you're not still listed as the owner.
A collision involving three buses on the A9 highway at Rambewa, Anuradhapura District, on 10 November 2026 killed several people and left around 70 injured, according to Lanka Newspapers and Newswire. Police said the A9 — a major arterial route connecting Colombo to Jaffna — saw the crash unfold after competitive driving and a dangerous overtaking attempt, with the exact cause still under investigation at the time of reporting.
Why it matters: this isn't just a bus story. It's a reminder that overtaking on undivided highways like the A9 is one of the riskiest manoeuvres you can make in any vehicle, private car included. If you're planning a long-distance trip through the North Central Province, build in extra time rather than overtaking on blind curves, and check your brakes and tyres beforehand. If you're buying or selling a vehicle that was involved in any accident, be upfront about it — our guide on documents you need to sell a car and the forum are good places to ask what disclosure buyers expect.
Yes, and police are concerned. Speaking to Newswire on 10 November 2026, police said 2,257 fatal road accidents have killed 2,381 people across Sri Lanka so far in 2026, with 785 motorcyclists and 227 pedestrians among the dead. Police Media Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler named excessive speeding and reckless driving as the main causes, and said around 10,000 traffic police officers attached to 609 stations are engaged in road-safety duties nationwide.
Why it matters for owners and buyers: with nearly 6 million registered motorcycles on Sri Lankan roads, two-wheeler riders remain the single largest group of road-accident victims. If you're buying your first bike or car, factor in a proper helmet, working lights and brakes, and a comprehensive insurance policy rather than the minimum third-party cover — a rising death toll usually means insurers watch claims more closely too. Compare what cover actually includes before you renew, and use our safety tips section for practical checks before any long trip.
Not meaningfully yet, but it's worth watching. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka's dollar buying rate eased to about Rs. 328.04 from Rs. 328.09, and the selling rate eased to roughly Rs. 336.98 from Rs. 337.05, on 10 November 2026, Newswire reported, describing it as a "slight" appreciation against a basket of currencies including Gulf currencies.
Why it matters: Sri Lanka's imported vehicles, parts and tyres are priced largely in US dollars before taxes are added, so the exchange rate feeds into landed cost over time. A single day's move of a few cents won't change a showroom price, but if you're timing a big purchase — especially an import permit vehicle or a hybrid/EV with imported batteries — it's worth tracking the rupee trend over weeks, not days, alongside the fuel and tax news we cover here. Check current asking prices on /price-check before you commit, and browse what's actually listed on /vehicles.
Got a question about any of these changes, or want to compare notes with other buyers and sellers? Ask in the Wahanaya forum — it's the fastest way to get a straight answer from people dealing with the same RMV counters and roads this week.
The 2027 Budget funds a new DMT head office and a digital vehicle registration system, a magistrate ordered a full probe into the fatal Rambewa bus crash, Police opened a 24-hour WhatsApp line for reckless driving reports, and the DMC warned of heavy rain from 13-15 November.
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On 12 November 2026, the DMT warned the public against brokers near its offices, Police opened WhatsApp lines for reporting dangerous driving, and Parliament received the 2027 Budget, which could reshape vehicle taxes.
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In the past 48 hours, the RMV sent 900,000 vehicle records for fraud analysis, a Colombo-Kandy road crash killed three, Namal Rajapaksa criticised fuel tax levels, and a police officer's leased Honda Vezel was seized in a billion-rupee fraud probe.
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