Sri Lanka, Sept. 2 -- Overall motor vehicle registrations in Sri Lanka decreased to 53221 units in July 2026 compared to 58151 units during June.

This headline figure hides a growing discrepancy in the automotive market between official financing levels and actual credit demand due to regulatory rules and dealer inventory practices.

JB Securities Chief Executive Officer Murtaza Jafferjee noted that low financing shares across segments indicate many registrations reflect dealer stock rather than actual buyer deliveries.

This preemptive stocking helps dealerships avoid the strict 90-day registration limit and the corresponding 3 percent CIF demurrage penalty, though industry traders argue pre-registration is only done in minimal quantiti...