Annual test for your belching vehicle?

By Ayesha Inoon

As polluted air in Sri Lanka causes rising rates of respiratory ailments, the authorities, after three false starts, are to introduce annual mandatory vehicle emission testing.

Vehicle owners will need to have their vehicles tested annually for carbon monoxide emissions in a state-private sector venture. But the Department of Motor Traffic, the implementing body, says it is unable to set the date for such tests while the Air Resources Management Centre believes this may see the light of day only in the next 6-12 months.

The Vehicle Emission Testing (VET) Programme is to be conducted to reduce air pollutants including particulate matter (PM10), nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide that cause respiratory problems and increase toxicity and mortality. Two-stroke (engine) three wheelers and motorcycles have been cited as the biggest polluters. These annual vehicle emission tests that will be included in the Motor Traffic Act will be linked to the issuance of annual revenue licences, The Sunday Times learns.

The tests to be carried out at 80 centres islandwide -- that are accredited by the Commissioner of Motor Traffic in coordination with the Central Environmental Authority – will be coordinated by two private companies which will be authorized to issue Vehicle Emission Certificates. If a vehicle fails to meet emission standards and does not qualify for this certificate, the owner will have to do the necessary modifications, before both the certificate and the revenue licence are issued.