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by Shanika Sriyananda

While the implementation of much delayed regulations to remove the un-road worthy vehicles, which emit dozens of toxic chemicals, are getting further delayed due to 'bureaucracy and lethargy' of state agencies, the experts call for a systematic approach to improve the public transport to improve the air quality.

Regulations to set up Vehicle Testing Centres were to implement last year but the draft is still gathering dust while some major cities are becoming unhealthy to breath due to rapid increase in toxic substances like sulphur dioxide and particulate matter in the ambient air.

Cornie Huzenga of the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities addressing the experts at the Second National Symposium on Air Resources Management said that the number of vehicles plying on roads in Colombo had increased rapidly and according to data from monitoring stations, harmful pollutants in the ambient air had been increased by 300 per cent.

He said the country needed proper and accurate air quality monitoring systems, better public transport system and facilities for monitoring of air quality in other major cities to improve the ambient air.

" Majority of people come to cities by their own mode of transport in the absence of a proper and convenient public transport system", Huzenga said adding that it was high time to modernise the public transport system to attract more people.

High quality buses, bus stations, services and polite drivers will encourage the public to use public transport more, he added.

Meanwhile, Minister of Environment Maithripala Sirisena requested international donor agencies to assist the country by providing resources to maintain air quality, effects of global warming and ozone depletion.

He said that the government gave priority to tackle the air pollution as it directly affect the well being of children's health.

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