Online portal to verify authenticity of vehicles before making purchases

-https://services.customs.gov.lk/vehicles

The platform empowers users to confirm whether a vehicle has been legally imported by simply entering the chassis number and vehicle registration number into the system

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama   

In a bid to enhance transparency and protect vehicle buyers, the Sri Lanka Customs Department has launched a new online Vehicle Verification Portal allowing the public to verify the legality and authenticity of imported vehicles before making purchases.   

Speaking on the initiative, Additional Director General of Customs, Seevali Arukgoda, said the platform empowers users to confirm whether a vehicle has been legally imported by simply entering the chassis number and vehicle registration number into the system. 

To access the service, users must input their mobile phone number, National Identity Card (NIC) or passport number, along with the chassis number of the vehicle in question. Upon successful submission, an SMS will be sent to the provided phone number, confirming the vehicle’s legal status.   

However, Arukgoda said that vehicles imported prior to 2005 are not covered by the portal and cannot be verified through the system.   

“This platform enables potential buyers to check whether a vehicle was legally imported, assembled locally after being brought down in parts, or if it carries fraudulent number plates,” he said. “It’s a valuable tool that people can access conveniently from their mobile devices, ensuring more secure and informed vehicle transactions.”   

The ‘Vehicle Verification Portal’ is now live and forms part of a broader effort by Sri Lanka Customs to increase accountability in vehicle imports and prevent fraud in the motor vehicle market.