Vehicle Emission Testing:

Cleaner environment and better driving experience

The much-awaited 2016 Budget presented to Parliament on Friday November 20 in a four-and-a-half hour speech by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, received an overall positive response from economic analysts and social justice advocates. The budget announcements included reductions and increases to various commodities, which were welcomed and condemned by different parties. Among these was the increase to the fee required for renewal of revenue licences.

This announcement had most vehicle owners in a state of confusion as to whether it was the price of emission tests that were increased. However, this is not the case as it is the fee of the actual revenue licence renewal that has been increased by the Motor Traffic Department of Sri Lanka.

"The Budget proposal increase of the revenue licence to Rs 5,000 is applicable to those renewing their revenue licence on an annual basis and is not on emission testing.

The public has to pay the standardised value for emission testing of their personal vehicles depending on the vehicle category. The public needs to be aware that the proposed Rs 5,000 should be paid to the Divisional Secretariat when renewing the revenue licence and not at a Vehicle Emission Testing centre. The rates for emission testing are not governed arbitrarily and are regulated by the authorities," an official of an vehicle emission test provider said.

Periodical vehicle emission tests are a mandatory requirement for obtaining or renewing revenue licences in Sri Lanka.

By maintaining stipulated emission standards, motorists can improve fuel efficiency. Sri Lanka has been identified as a country with a sudden influx of vehicles, which in turn could have a significant negative impact on air quality and environment.

To minimize the negative impact caused by the plethora of vehicles on the streets, the Motor Traffic Department has set emission standards and made emission testing mandatory.

Since its introduction in 2008, environmental pollution caused by automobile emissions has significantly reduced across the country. Air pollution has become one of the key environmental concerns across the world with many countries imposing stringent regulations and controls.

The long term environmental damage caused by air pollution has further extended to various adverse health issues such as skin cancer and respiratory issues.

Apart from facilitating the reduction of air pollution, the test also identifies noise pollutants. Currently there are two companies offering vehicle emission testing through an island-wide network of testing centres monitored by the Motor Traffic Department.