Vehicle emission test to combat air pollution

Irangika Range

COLOMBO: In an effective bid to rid the Colombo city of mounting air pollution, the Government has made it compulsory for all vehicle owners to undergo a vehicle emission test before obtaining or renewing their revenue licenses at the Motor Traffic Department.

Central Environment Authority Director General Mervyn Gunasena told the Daily News that this programme’s major objective is to make a green and clean environment which sustains human life and nature.

The new ‘vehicle emission certificate’ programme will be implemented in collaboration with the Motor Traffic Department. Each vehicle owner will be made to undergo the vehicle emission test before obtaining their revenue licence.

The transport sector has been cited as the main culprit responsible for noxious emissions from belching vehicles compared to the industrial sector in the Colombo city. “This programme will create an ambient air quality in the Colombo city,” he said.

Meanwhile, an Environment and Natural Resources Ministry spokesman said Minister Champika Ranawaka has appointed an Advisory Committee comprising 34 intellectuals outside the Ministry to obtain effective ideas for the implementation of all environmental related work.

Among the major objectives of this committee are creating awareness with regard to the environment and suggesting an effective regulatory and administrative framework to safeguard, manage and enhance the environment.