27/08/2025
Sri Lanka’s Oldest Car
The historic Wolseley car bearing the registration “Q 53” widely recognized or known as Sri Lanka’s first officially registered by Municipal Council of Colombo. This motor vehicle was imported by J. H. Meedeniya Adigar, a prominent Ceylonese statesman and aristocrat during the British colonial era.
Who Was J. H. Meedeniya Adigar?
- He held the title of Adigar, a high ranking native official under the British administration in oldest Ceylon.
- He was known for his progressive outlook and early adoption of Western innovations, including motor vehicles.
- His importation of the Wolseley in 1903 marked a turning point in Sri Lanka’s transportation history, symbolizing the arrival of modern mobility on the island.
Why the "Wolseley"?
- Wolseley was a prestigious British brand at the time, known for engineering excellence and luxury.
- The choice reflected Meedeniya’s status and his interest in pioneering new technologies.
Who Issued “Q 53”?
The registration “Q 53” was issued by the colonial administration of Ceylon in 1903, shortly after motorcars were introduced to the island. At that time, vehicle registration was managed by local government authorities under British rule, likely through the Municipal Council or District Government Agent’s office. There was no centralized Department of Motor Traffic yet—registrations were manually recorded and issued in sequence.
Was It a Series Number?
Yes, the “Q” series was the first official vehicle registration series in Ceylon, starting from Q 1 and continuing sequentially. The number Q 53 indicates that it was the 53rd registered motor vehicle in the country. Earlier numbers like Q 1 to Q 52 would have been assigned to other early adopters—mostly colonial officials, wealthy estate owners, and prominent businessmen.
Why “Q”?
The letter “Q” was chosen likely because it was unused in other colonial registration systems and easy to distinguish. It became the prefix for the earliest motorcars, making it a symbol of prestige and pioneering status.
Legacy
“Q 53” is the oldest surviving plate known today, famously linked to the 1903 Wolseley imported by J. H. Meedeniya Adigar. Earlier plates like Q 1–Q 52 may have belonged to vehicles that were scrapped, lost, or undocumented.
As of now, Sri Lanka does not have publicly known or documented records for “Q 52” or earlier plates like “Q 1–Q 52.” The earliest surviving and verified registration is “Q 53,” famously linked to the 1903 Wolseley imported by J. H. Meedeniya Adigar.
Why No Records for Q 1–Q 52?
- Vehicle registration in Ceylon began in 1903, and the “Q” series was issued sequentially.
- Earlier vehicles (Q 1 to Q 52) may have:
- Been scrapped or lost over time
- Had incomplete or unpreserved documentation
- Belonged to colonial officials or estates with no surviving archives
Official Access
Sri Lanka’s Department of Motor Traffic does offer an Online Registered Vehicle Information Service, but it primarily covers current and recent registrations. Historical records from the early 1900s are not digitized or publicly searchable.
Estimated Price in 1903
- The Wolseley 10HP Twin-Cylinder model was priced around £250 to £300 in the UK at the time.
- With shipping, customs duties, and colonial import fees, the landed cost in Ceylon could have reached £400–£500.
Adjusted for Inflation
- In today’s terms, that would be roughly £60,000–£75,000 (or LKR 24–30 million) depending on the valuation method.
- This reflects the car’s status as a luxury item and technological marvel in its era.
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Image Credit to Viduranga Asiri
