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Updated 9 November 2026 · Written by the Wahanaya.lk team
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.
Sri Lanka's vehicle news over the past two days centres on a fraud probe at the Department of Motor Traffic, a fatal crash on the Colombo-Kandy road, political criticism of fuel taxes, and a leased SUV seized in a police corruption case. Here's what happened, and what it means if you're buying, selling, leasing or just driving in Sri Lanka this week.
The RMV is having roughly 900,000 vehicle records analysed because a court-directed operation is investigating fraud, forged documents and irregular registrations inside the department. According to Divaina (9 November 2026), the data was collected under a directive from Attorney General Priyantha Wirasuriya and is now being studied by four institutions, including the University of Colombo's computer science department and Sri Lanka's Computer Incident Response Team. The probe is looking at forged documents, illegally imported or registered vehicles, and schemes where officials allegedly took money to push through fraudulent transactions. An investigation report is due in courts soon, and people linked to fraudulent records could face legal action.
This matters if you're buying or selling a used vehicle right now. If an RMV document on a vehicle you're looking at turns out to be part of a flagged batch, a straightforward ownership transfer could get delayed while the case is sorted out. Before you pay a deposit, check the CR book details match the actual chassis and engine numbers, and confirm the registration history looks consistent. Browse verified listings on /vehicles, run a /price-check to see if the asking price is realistic, and read our safety tips on document checks. If anything about a seller's paperwork feels off, ask about it in the Wahanaya forum before you commit.
An SLTB bus and a van collided in the Mahena area of Warakapola, on the busy Colombo-Kandy main road, killing three people and injuring four, according to Newswire (7 November 2026). Police are still investigating the circumstances, and no further details on the cause have been released yet.
For owners and drivers, this is a reminder that the Colombo-Kandy road has stretches with blind bends and heavy bus and van traffic, where overtaking is risky. If you drive this route regularly, build in extra time rather than rushing, and keep your following distance up around buses, which can stop or turn without much warning. If you're ever involved in or near an accident, you'll need your revenue licence, CR book copy and insurance details on hand for the police report — our safety tips page covers what to carry and do after a crash. If a car you're considering buying has accident history on this or any route, ask the seller directly and verify through a mechanic before you buy.
SLPP National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa said in Parliament that the government has raised fuel taxes "beyond the existing levels," adding that ordinary people end up bearing the cost even as other living expenses rise, according to Hiru News and Daily Mirror (8 November 2026). He argued the government had earlier promised to price fuel based on landed import cost and cut taxes, but taxes have gone up instead.
This is a political statement, not a new price change — the last confirmed CPC revision was on 2 November 2026, when 92 Octane petrol rose by Rs. 10 to Rs. 424 a litre, 95 Octane rose by Rs. 15 to Rs. 490, Auto Diesel rose by Rs. 5 to Rs. 397, and Super Diesel rose by Rs. 15 to Rs. 543, while kerosene stayed at Rs. 285 (OnLanka, as of November 2026). Litro LP gas prices were held unchanged for November. For anyone shopping for a car, fuel tax debates are worth watching because they move your running costs more than almost anything else. If you're deciding between a petrol, diesel or hybrid, run the numbers on your expected monthly distance and compare total cost of ownership, not just the sticker price — our leasing calculator can help you see how fuel costs and instalments add up together. Always check cpc.lk or your nearest filling station for the current price, since this changes.
Chief Inspector Varuni Bogahawatta was suspended after being remanded over a Honda Vezel registered in her name, whose Rs. 132,000 monthly lease instalments she could not explain against a declared salary of Rs. 140,000, according to Anidda (8 November 2026). Investigators from the CID's financial crimes unit allege the instalments were being paid by a suspect in a Rs. 1 billion fraud case involving the Matara Cooperative Society. The vehicle has been seized as part of the probe.
If you lease a vehicle, this case is a reminder that a leasing company's records and a CID investigation can expose who's really funding the lease, not just whose name is on the paperwork — so never let someone else quietly cover your instalments if you can't account for where that money comes from. It's also a caution for buyers: if you're ever offered a vehicle at a bargain price because it's "coming off a seized lease" or a similar story, get written confirmation from the finance company that the lease is fully settled and the CR book is clear of any lien before you pay anything. Ask questions like this on the forum if a deal looks unusual, and always verify leasing documents directly with the bank or finance company named on them, not just with the seller.
Rules, prices and taxes mentioned above can change quickly, so always confirm the latest figures with the CPC, your bank or finance company, or the Department of Motor Traffic before you rely on them.
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.
Wahanaya.lk team6 min read
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.
Wahanaya.lk team6 min read
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.
Wahanaya.lk team6 min read
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