Wahanaya.lk articles
Plain answers to common questions about buying, selling and leasing vehicles in Sri Lanka.
Showing 50–61 of 139 articles
You apply to the DMT's Technical Branch, produce the vehicle and documents at the Werahera office, and get approval from the Commissioner General of Motor Traffic. Conversion is only allowed within 25 years of first registration, and fees depend on the exact change.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
Yes, until the ownership transfer is registered at the DMT the vehicle stays in your name, so fines, camera tickets and accident liability can still land on you.
Wahanaya.lk team6 min read
Compare motor insurance quotes in Sri Lanka by matching sum insured basis, excess, claim settlement method and add-ons across insurers, not just the premium. A cheaper premium with a high excess or market-value settlement can cost you more when you actually claim.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
No. As of November 2026, profit from selling your own personal vehicle is exempt from income tax and capital gains tax under the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act, No. 11 of 2026, backdated to 1 April 2024. The exemption doesn't cover dealer stock or vehicles claimed as a business asset.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
Market value insurance pays out what your vehicle is worth on the day you claim, which falls every year.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
Report it to your nearest police station immediately with your CR book and ID, ask for a complaint entry number, and check your vehicle's details on the RMV's online service. Cases are usually passed to a Special Crimes or CID unit for investigation.
Wahanaya.lk team6 min read
A vehicle sale agreement is a private written contract between buyer and seller that records the price, deposit, condition and transfer date. It isn't a legal requirement, but it protects both sides whenever money changes hands before the RMV/DMT ownership transfer is completed.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
Compare the revenue licence, fuel use, emission test, insurance, spare parts and resale value of both cars side by side — not just the asking price — before you decide which one actually costs less to own.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
You need Commissioner-General approval before repainting, then an RMV Motor Vehicle Examiner must inspect the repainted vehicle and issue a certificate before your CR book is updated with the new colour.
Wahanaya.lk team6 min read
Yes, you can legally sell a car that's crashed or won't start in Sri Lanka, but you still need the CR book, the MTA 6/MTA 8 transfer forms and a revenue licence. If the car can't be driven to renew its licence, apply for a 'notice of non-user' so the transfer can go through without an emission test.
Wahanaya.lk team8 min read
For most private cars in Sri Lanka, petrol or hybrid is now the safer, easier buy because the fuel price gap has narrowed and diesel demand is shrinking. Diesel still makes sense for high-mileage pickups and vans where fuel savings outweigh the extra service cost.
Wahanaya.lk team8 min read
Transferring a sold vehicle costs a DMT class fee (Rs 5,000 for a car), a Rs 1,000 service charge, and 1% stamp duty on its value. The buyer usually pays, but it must be filed within 14 days of the sale or a penalty applies.
Wahanaya.lk team7 min read
