Short answer — the banks and finance companies Sri Lankans most often recommend for new-car financing are those that offer (a) competitive interest rates or concessionary fixed-rate packages, (b) dealer tie‑ups or leasing options that reduce upfront cost, (c) flexible tenors, and (d) good branch/network/after‑sales service. Based on current public information (July–Sep 2025), the institutions to shortlist and why are:

• DFCC Bank (DFCC Bank Auto Loan / leasing)

  • Known for very competitive fixed-rate packages if you assign salary to DFCC (examples: fixed 3‑year 9.00% p.a., fixed 5‑year 9.75% p.a. as published by the bank). DFCC also offers tailored repayment structures for autos. (uat1.dfcc.lk)

• Sampath Bank (vehicle lease / dealer tie‑ups)

  • Active in dealer partnerships and concessionary leasing rates (recent MOUs with car sellers; interest concessions and insurance-payment facilities have been reported). Good option where dealers have a Sampath arrangement because you may get lower rental/interest and bundled discounts. (ceylontoday.lk)

• HNB / HNB Finance

  • HNB Finance advertises auto loans with flexible tenors (up to 7 years), discounted insurance and quick processing — attractive if you want a finance company that specialises in vehicle lending and faster documentation. (hnbfinance.lk)

• Pan Asia / other mid‑tier banks and leasing companies

  • Several banks and non‑bank finance companies (Pan Asia, some LFCs/RFLEs) list competitive vehicle leasing/loan products; rates and tenors vary and they sometimes offer targeted promotions. Use bank aggregators or the banks’ product pages for comparisons. (anybanq.lk)

Important regulatory context you must know (affects down‑payment / LTV):

• The Central Bank of Sri Lanka issued directions effective 18 July 2025 that cap Loan‑to‑Value (LTV) ratios for vehicle loans (e.g., motor cars/SUVs/vans capped at 60% LTV; other caps for commercial vehicles, 3‑wheelers etc.). That means most lenders will require a larger down payment than earlier. Always check the LTV the bank will approve for your vehicle type. (adaderana.lk)

How to pick the best lender for your situation

• Compare effective cost (annualised interest + all fees, not headline rate). Ask for an amortisation schedule.
• Check whether the quoted rate is fixed for the tenor or variable (AWPLR + x). Fixed early‑tenor offers (e.g., DFCC’s fixed 3/5 yr examples) can be cheaper if policy rates rise. (uat1.dfcc.lk)
• Dealer tie‑ups can give rate discounts or bundled benefits (free services, insurance deals) — good if you’re buying from a participating dealer. (dailymirror.lk)
• Consider tenor (longer tenor → lower monthly but higher total interest) and early‑repayment penalties.
• Check document requirements (salary assignment, guarantor, insurance assignment, vehicle hypothecation, maximum vehicle age), and whether the lender permits rollover/balloon payments. (uat1.dfcc.lk)

Practical next steps (quick checklist)

1. Decide loan amount and preferred tenor.
2. Ask 3–4 lenders (DFCC, Sampath, HNB/HNB Finance and one other—e.g., Pan Asia or your relationship bank) for:
   • Interest rate (fixed vs variable), fees, required down payment (LTV), and full amortisation schedule.
3. Confirm any dealer promotions (0.5% concession, insurance discounts, freebies).
4. Factor in the CBSL LTV caps (down payment requirement) and whether you need salary assignment. (adaderana.lk)

If you’d like, I can:

• Compare 3 specific lenders’ sample quotes if you tell me: vehicle price, desired down payment, and preferred tenor; or
• Pull the latest published car‑loan pages/interest examples from the banks you care about right now.

Which of those would you prefer?