Vehicle prices in the local market have declined considerably, with prices of some small vehicles falling by at least Rs. 1 million, Vehicle Importers Association of Lanka (VIAL) Chairman Indika Sampath Merenchige said.

Speaking to the media, Merenchige said the current market situation provided an opportunity for those planning to purchase vehicles to reserve them, as prices could decline further.

He said many traders were currently selling vehicles at a loss, while the downward trend in prices was expected to continue depending on market conditions.

“People who are planning to buy vehicles should consider reserving them at this stage,” he said.

However, Merenchige said vehicle prices could increase once the market stabilised.

He said prices of several popular models, including the Toyota Yaris, Toyota Raize, Honda Vezel, Suzuki Wagon R, Daihatsu Mira and Suzuki vans, had fallen by between Rs. 400,000 and Rs. 1 million.

Rejecting recent claims by the Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association (CMTA), Merenchige said any alleged loss of Government revenue was attributable to the importation of brand-new vehicles.

The CMTA had claimed that the Government could lose between Rs. 100 billion and Rs. 120 billion in revenue in 2026 due to a tax loophole allegedly being exploited by used-vehicle importers. It had also claimed that the Government had lost around Rs. 40 billion in 2025 and a further Rs. 54 billion between January and July this year.

Merenchige explained the impact of brand-new vehicle imports on Government revenue, referring to provisions contained in a 2016 Gazette notification. He urged the authorities not to be misled by what he described as inaccurate claims.

He said the shortage of vehicles caused by the five-year restriction on vehicle imports had now largely been addressed, although more vehicles were still needed to meet the remaining market demand.

However, he claimed that vehicle imports had subsequently exceeded actual market requirements, contributing to the decline in prices.

Merenchige also attributed part of the recent price reduction to the surcharge imposed by the Government, saying it had contributed to the downward movement in vehicle prices.

A man who was believed to have died after consuming poison, and whose body was buried and religious almsgiving ceremonies held, has reportedly returned home alive nearly two months after disappearing.

The bizarre incident was reported from the Kokawewa Police area.

The man had disappeared from his home about two months ago. As he was accustomed to leaving home for several days at a time and returning, his family initially did not become alarmed.

However, when he failed to return for more than a week, his wife lodged a complaint with the Kokawewa Police.

On August 27, police received information that a body had been found in a reserve within the Habarana Police Division. The man was believed to have died after consuming poison.

The deceased’s relatives were called to identify the body. The man’s wife and family reportedly confirmed the body was that of the missing man after identifying the clothes he was wearing as those his son had given him for the New Year.

The body was subsequently buried in Polonnaruwa on August 31, while religious almsgiving ceremonies were held on September 6 and 7.

But in an extraordinary turn of events, the man suddenly arrived by bus at his sister’s house—alive.

After receiving a telephone call informing them of his unexpected return, the family immediately notified the Kokawewa Police.Police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the case, including how another person’s body came to be identified as that of the missing man.

The Government is closely monitoring the case of Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa, who is undergoing judicial proceedings in Saudi Arabia over alleged defamatory remarks against Islam, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

According to Ministry sources, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh was verbally informed by Sivarasa’s lawyer, who was present at the relevant court proceedings, that the sentence imposed on Sivarasa had reportedly been enhanced to capital punishment.

However, the Embassy is awaiting the formal written judgment from the competent Saudi judicial authorities, which is expected to set out the official details and legal basis of the decision.

The Ministry said the matter had been discussed with the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Colombo. The Sri Lankan Government conveyed its deep concern over the reported enhancement of the sentence, as well as the concerns of Sivarasa’s family.

Sivarasa’s lawyer has informed the Embassy that the judgment could be appealed before the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia within one month.

Accordingly, the Sri Lankan Embassy, in consultation with and under the guidance of the Foreign Ministry, is taking necessary steps to pursue an appeal within the stipulated period, in coordination with Sivarasa’s next of kin.

Sivarasa had previously been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and fined three million Saudi Riyals. His lawyer submitted an appeal memorandum to the competent appellate court in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia on August 25, 2026.

The Ministry said the Government remained engaged in the matter through its diplomatic network and bilateral channels with the relevant Saudi authorities, while continuing to provide consular assistance to Sivarasa and his family.

It said the Government would continue to monitor developments while respecting the judicial processes and laws of Saudi Arabia.