Registration of vehicles has increased during the first six months of the year compared to the first half of 2009.

The number of vehicles registered in the first half of 2010 was 152,174 while it was only 66,153 in the same period in 2009, the Motor Traffic Department said.

The increase in demand for motor cycles and three wheelers subsequent to the defeat of terrorism and the provision of hire purchase facilities to the public and private institutions following intervention by financial institutions and banks had been cited as contributory factors for the rise in vehicle imports.

By 2009 a total of 204,475 vehicles had been issued with registration certificates including 135,421 motor cycles, 37,364 three wheelers and 5,762 motor cars.

By June 2010, new registration certificates have been issued to 96,146 motor cycles, 35,032 three wheelers and 2,610 motor cars in a total of 152,174 vehicles.

Accordingly, importing of motor cycles surpasses that of other vehicles and the importation of motor cars has declined. Approximately about 19,000 new registration certificates are issued per month as statistics indicate.