Police issue a statement tightening vehicle modification laws

Considering road safety and traffic control as a primary responsibility of the Sri Lanka Police, the police have decided to take strict legal action against vehicles illegally fitted with dangerous parts. Authorities have observed that old vehicles, modified in a dangerous manner and without proper fitness certificates, are currently being driven on public roads.

According to the Motor Traffic Act, it is clearly stated that any motor vehicle should be driven on the road only in a condition that does not cause any danger, inconvenience, or damage to passengers traveling in the vehicle, other road users, or properties adjacent to the road. However, it has been identified that some drivers release harsh, distorted, and excessive noise into the environment by changing the shape of manufacturer-designed silencers, adding extra parts, and installing other silencers. Additionally, installing flashing extra lights of various colors, using different types of horns, changing the vehicle's color and design, and displaying drawings, designs, advertisements, and religious figures on the front, rear, and body of the vehicle are also illegal acts.

Driving vehicles with such illegal modifications on the road poses a high risk of accidents, inconveniences, and damages to both the occupants of the vehicle and other road users. Especially when observing recent road accidents, it has been confirmed that a large number of arbitrarily modified buses, without proper condition reports and operational fitness reports, have been involved in these accidents. A new measure has also been introduced to prevent severe environmental damage caused by vehicle exhaust fumes, and the public now has the opportunity to report vehicles emitting black smoke.

If a vehicle emits black smoke, the police can take legal action against those individuals by submitting the date, location of the incident, and the vehicle number to the WhatsApp number 070 - 3500525. As the police are continuously conducting traffic operations and strictly enforcing the law with the aim of ensuring road safety, they urge all vehicle owners and drivers to operate their vehicles with proper understanding and responsibility, in accordance with existing legal provisions.