Letter to the editor

Congratulations to the decision-makers of Sri Lanka for being bold enough to take unpopular decisions for the benefit of the country and future generations: I refer to the ban on polythene and two-stroke engines.

This is a country of protestors. We protest for everything. What has happened to the Green Movements of this country? Why have they not come forward to explain to the literate but uneducated people of this country the benefit of the ‘green’ decisions taken recently by Mahinda Chinthanaya.

India is the largest user of two-stroke engines for motorcycles, scooters and three-wheelers. Three wheelers with two-stroke engines are no longer allowed in the cities of India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Thailand. Furthermore the so-called three-wheelers have to be operated by CNG / LNG or LPG less polluting fuels.

Thailand has gone for solar power with the help of international donor agencies. India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal allowed only a few months for transformation from two-stroke to four-stroke as well as conversion to CNG / LNG / LPG. This country allows five years. The environment will be polluted for a further five years. Why?

Three-wheelers are a mode of self employment in all SAARC countries inclusive of Thailand. Financial assistance was provided to registered owners for conversion and once converted, the three-wheelers were re-registered.

All of them carry a bold sign stating, “This Vehicle is Clean Air”. Most taxis in India and Bangladesh operating in the cities have been converted to operate by gas. I saw some buses in Dhaka having a sign “This is a Clean Air Bus” in their language as well as in English.

We do not have a single Clean Air Bus nor do we have a plan to do so. Can the Minister of Environment / Transport, explain why?
All three-wheelers are assembled in Sri Lanka. The government has to only make one decision. Stop the import of two-stroke engines for three-wheelers immediately, instead allow only the import of four-stroke engines for three-wheelers. The same should apply for two-stroke motorcycles as well as for mopeds, which have become a nuisance on the roads. They require no registration, helmet or licence. Even kids below 18 are seen on the road on mopeds. Mopeds are meant to carry one person but often we see three people on them. The only identification at the back is 49 cc and the importer’s name.

There is a big misconception that three-wheelers will be taken off the road and so many self-employed people will be thrown on the street. There is nothing like that. Three-wheelers have to be made eco friendly and keep the masses moving; that is all. Once again Mahinda Chinthanaya, action please.