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Updated 4 November 2026 · Written by the Wahanaya.lk team
This week's Sri Lanka vehicle news: petrol and diesel prices rose from 2 November, a TIN certificate is now needed for revenue licences but temporary NIC relief was granted on 3 November, CAA raided lubricant sellers, and CMTA wants the used-vehicle tax concession scrapped in the 2027 Budget.
Sri Lanka's vehicle owners had a busy few days: fuel got more expensive, the new TIN rule for revenue licences hit trouble and was partly rolled back, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) raided lubricant sellers, and motor traders asked the government to raise used-car import tax in the 2027 Budget. Here's what changed between 1 and 4 November 2026, and what it means if you own, buy, sell or lease a vehicle.
Not right now — if you don't have a TIN certificate yet, you can still renew by giving your NIC details at your Divisional Secretariat office. The TIN requirement itself took effect on 1 November 2026, forcing anyone renewing a revenue licence, applying for a fresh Certificate of Registration, or transferring a vehicle (on MTA 11 or CMT 52 forms) to quote a TIN. But queues and reported system breakdowns at IRD offices on 3 November pushed Cabinet Spokesman Dr Nalinda Jayatissa to announce temporary relief for both revenue licence renewals and new bank accounts, Newswire reported the same day.
Why it matters: if an officer tells you a TIN is compulsory with no exceptions, you now have grounds to ask about the NIC-based workaround. It's described as temporary, so don't assume it lasts — plan to register for a TIN at the Inland Revenue Department when queues ease, especially if you're about to sell, transfer or lease a vehicle, since TIN details are also tied to transfer forms. Keep your Certificate of Registration (CR book), NIC and any TIN paperwork together before you go. If you're mid-sale right now, check our safety tips for what paperwork a buyer or seller should have ready.
CPC raised pump prices from 2 November 2026 — 92 Octane petrol is now Rs. 424 a litre (up Rs. 10), 95 Octane is Rs. 490 (up Rs. 15), Auto Diesel is Rs. 397 (up Rs. 5), and Super Diesel is Rs. 543 (up Rs. 15), according to Onlanka's report of the CPC announcement. Kerosene was left unchanged at Rs. 285. No official reason was given beyond the usual reference to global fuel costs.
Why it matters: a diesel vehicle doing long distances will feel this increase fastest, and it's worth re-running your monthly budget if you're comparing a petrol, diesel or hybrid vehicle before buying. If you're deciding between models, use our price check tool to see what similar vehicles are listed for, and factor the new fuel prices into your running-cost sums before you commit.
The CAA inspected sellers of engine oil, gear oil and grease island-wide from 27 to 30 October 2026 and found 98 suspected violations, with products seized as evidence ahead of possible Magistrate's Court action, Newswire reported on 1 November. Under the rules, businesses importing or manufacturing lubricants need a valid agreement with the government — the raids targeted unauthorised products being sold as genuine.
Why it matters: if you service your own vehicle or ask a garage to use a specific brand of oil, this is a reminder to buy from an authorised dealer and ask to see proof the product is registered, rather than picking the cheapest tin at a roadside shop. Using a counterfeit or wrongly-specified lubricant can shorten engine life and complicate a warranty claim. Owners and sellers listing a vehicle for sale should also be able to show a recent, traceable service history — our forum is a good place to ask other owners which garages and oil brands they trust in your area.
Possibly — the CMTA wants the government to drop the 15% depreciation concession on used-vehicle import duty in the 2027 Budget, which is scheduled for 12 November 2026 and is due a final vote on 14 December. The association argues the flat 15% cut applies even to near-zero-mileage "used" imports, unfairly undercutting brand-new vehicle prices, and says it has cost the government roughly Rs. 40 billion in 2025 and Rs. 120 billion by September 2026. CMTA has proposed age-based depreciation capped at 10% instead, LNW Lanka News Web reported on 1 November 2026.
Why it matters: nothing has changed yet — this is a lobby demand, not a confirmed tax change — but if you are close to importing or buying a used vehicle, it's worth watching the Budget speech on 12 November. If the concession is cut, landed costs for used imports could rise. If you're actively shopping, browse current listings on /vehicles now rather than waiting past Budget day on a vehicle you've already decided on.
This roundup reflects what was reported between 1 and 4 November 2026. Rules like the TIN relief are described as temporary, so confirm the current position with the Inland Revenue Department or your Divisional Secretariat before you travel to renew a licence.
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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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.
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