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Two stroke engine three wheeler imports to be banned

by Tharika Goonathilake

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources is seeking Cabinet approval to ban the importation of 2 stroke engine three-wheelers.

The chief objection to their use is that they emit unburnt fuel considered to be one of the major contributory factors for increased air pollution and related health risks.

"At present there are around 100,000 three-wheelers in Sri Lanka. The majority consist of 2 stroke engines. We are trying to dissuade further imports and instead encourage the three-wheelers with a 4 stroke engine as an alternative," Environment Ministry's Economic and Global Affairs Director Dr. D.M.S Batagoda told the `Daily News' yesterday.

He said that the price difference was around Rs 10,000 and that the 4 stoke engines were also more viable and environmentally friendly in the long term.

According to Dr. Batagoda, the program is part of a national initiative aimed at redressing issues related to air pollution, phasing out the use of leaded petrol and implementing tighter controls and monitoring mechanisms on vehicular emissions.

The most critical components in air pollution include: sulphur dioxide (from the burning of oil) particulate matter from domestic fires, power and industrial plants and diesel engines, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide (from petrol fumes from motor vehicles) and atmospheric lead (from burning leaded petrol or coal).

Outdoor air pollution also harms more than 1.1 billion people and kills an estimated half million people per year, mostly in cities. The most susceptible to pollution are children and the elderly. Research shows that air pollution increases the risk of asthma and respiratory diseases. Traffic policemen, automobile mechanics, and drivers are among the most vulnerable groups, Dr. Batagoda said.

He said that unless measures are taken to introduce alternatives of this nature, Sri Lankans face the risk of being exposed to levels of air pollution that are far in excess of allowances recommended by the World Health Organisation.

The Ministry of Transport and the Motor Traffic Department is also associated in the presentation of the Cabinet paper.

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