50% of diesel vehicles emit black smoke

During special field inspections conducted on diesel vehicles operating within the island, it has been identified that as high as fifty percent of them emit environmentally harmful black smoke. This dangerous situation has been revealed according to investigations carried out by the Air Emissions Division of the Department of Motor Traffic.

Mr. Dasun Janaka Gamage, Director of the Air Emissions Division, stated that nearly 1,000 vehicles suspected of emitting black smoke have been inspected during the elapsed period of this year alone. These inspection activities have now been intensified, focusing on 12 districts where vehicle usage is very high. Mobile officer teams have been specially deployed for this purpose, and they directly inspect vehicles on highways.

Authorities have taken steps to grant vehicle owners a 14-day grace period to rectify the faulty conditions in vehicles confirmed to be emitting environmentally harmful black smoke. However, the Air Emissions Division emphasizes that strict legal action will be taken against individuals who fail to rectify the defects in their vehicles within the specified timeframe, regardless of their status. Accordingly, arrangements will be made to blacklist vehicles that disregard the relevant orders in the future.