More than a quarter-million newly registered vehicles in Sri Lanka are currently operating without official number plates following a year-long procurement delay, Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) sources revealed this week.
The crisis, which has left over 250,000 vehicle owners in limbo, reportedly began after the contract with the previous license plate supplier expired on April 30, 2024. The absence of a successor for nearly nine months led to a massive administrative backlog that grew rapidly as the government eased long-standing import restrictions.
A spokesperson for the DMT confirmed that a resolution is finally in sight. Following Cabinet approval, a new service provider was selected and a formal agreement was signed last week.
“We anticipate that number plates for newly registered vehicles will be issued within the next three months,” the spokesperson stated, noting that distribution is expected to commence around March.
The backlog has been exacerbated by a significant surge in vehicle registrations following the lifting of a five-year import ban on January 28, 2025. The ban was originally implemented in 2020 to preserve foreign exchange reserves during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic downturn.
Data from the DMT highlights a massive influx of vehicles throughout 2025:
According to the department, motorcycles imported since January 2025 and all other vehicles imported since April 2025 are among those most affected by the shortage.
While the signing of the new contract provides a roadmap for clearing the deficit, the DMT faces a logistical challenge in processing over 250,000 units while simultaneously handling new daily registrations. For now, thousands of motorists continue to navigate Sri Lankan roads using temporary documentation as they wait for the new supplier to begin production this spring. (Newswire)