2019-06-04 | Finance Leasing Act Direction No. 1 of 2019

Amendments to Directions on Loan to Value Ratios for Credit Facilities Granted in Respect of Motor Vehicles

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka issued Directions No. 1 of 2019 to establish new loan-to-value ratios for credit facilities granted by Specialized Leasing Companies for motor vehicles. The directive sets maximum lending percentages based on vehicle type, registration status, and fuel classification, distinguishing between new and used vehicles as well as electric and other types. Additionally, the Central Bank mandates that loan-to-value calculations for concessionary imports be based on proforma invoice values and explicitly withdraws the previous Finance Leasing Act Directions No. 07 of 2018.

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CENTRAL BANK OF SRI LANKA 04 June 2019 FINANCE LEASING ACT DIRECTIONS No. 1 of 2019 AMENDMENTS TO DIRECTIONS ON LOAN TO VALUE RATIOS FOR CREDIT FACILITIES GRANTED IN RESPECT OF MOTOR VEHICLES

Issued under Section 34 of the Finance Leasing Act, No.56 of 2000.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka issues Directions as follows for implementation of loan to value ratios in respect of credit facilities granted by Specialized Leasing Companies (SLCs) for the purpose of purchase or utilisation of motor vehicles.

  1. The following will replace Directions 2.1 of the Finance Leasing Act Directions No. 02 of 2018 on Loan to Value Ratios for Credit Facilities Granted in respect of Motor Vehicles.

(i) Credit facilities granted by SLCs for the purpose of purchase or utilisation of motor vehicles shall not exceed the following percentages of the market value of such vehicles until further notice.

(a) In respect of unregistered vehicles and registered vehicles which have been used in Sri Lanka for less than one year after the first registration;

Table 1 – Loan to Value Ratio

Vehicle CategoryVehicle Class of Department of Motor TrafficElectric VehiclesOther
Commercial vehiclesC1, C, CE, D1, D, DE, G1, G, J90%90%
Motor Cars, SUVs and VansB (other than light trucks & single cabs)90%50%
Three wheelersB190%25%
Light trucksB90%90%
Any other vehicleA1, A and single cabs categorized under B90%70%
Hybrid Motor Cars, Vans and SUVsB (other than light trucks & single cabs)50%

(b) 70 per cent in respect of registered vehicles which have been used in Sri Lanka for more than one year after the first registration.


CENTRAL BANK OF SRI LANKA 04 June 2019 FINANCE LEASING ACT DIRECTIONS No. 1 of 2019

  1. Loan to Value Ratio for credit facilities granted for importation or purchase of motor vehicles under permits on concessionary terms shall be computed based on the proforma invoice value, instead of the market value of the motor vehicle.

  2. The Finance Leasing Act Directions No. 07 of 2018 dated 01.10.2018 on Measures to Curtail imports of Motor Vehicles is withdrawn with effect from the date of this Directions.

(Signature) W. Ranaweera Director, Department of Supervision of Non-Bank Financial Institutions, Central Bank of Sri Lanka