Sri Lanka Police announced on Monday that strict legal action will be taken against vehicles fitted with dangerous modifications and excessively noisy exhaust systems, citing growing concerns over road safety and public nuisance.
In a statement issued by the Police Media Division, authorities said a number of vehicles operating across the country had been illegally modified and were being driven without valid fitness or roadworthiness certificates. Some of those vehicles contain hazardous components and unauthorised alterations that police said increase the risk of accidents and pose a danger to passengers and other road users.
Recent analyses of road traffic accidents found that a significant number of buses involved in serious incidents had undergone unauthorised structural modifications and lacked valid fitness certificates at the time of operation, police said.
Owners modifying original exhaust systems by replacing silencers, altering designs or adding extra components that generate excessively loud or distorted noise were specifically singled out, with police saying such practices cause public disturbance and contribute to noise pollution.
Under the Motor Traffic Act and related regulations, police said it is unlawful to install dangerous or unauthorised components, fit flashing or coloured lights without approval, use non-standard horns, alter the original colour or design of a vehicle, display unauthorised images, decals or advertisements, or modify the manufacturer’s original vehicle structure without legal approval. All vehicles operated on public roads must be maintained in a condition that does not cause danger, annoyance or injury to passengers, other road users or surrounding property.
The public was also encouraged to report vehicles emitting excessive black smoke. Complaints can be submitted via WhatsApp to 070 3500525 with the vehicle registration number, date, time and location of the incident — the same hotline announced in an earlier black-smoke enforcement push. Police said island-wide traffic enforcement operations are continuing.
The advisory adds to a string of recent traffic-enforcement campaigns, including action against altered vehicle number plates and blacklisting from revenue-licence issuance for emission failures.
Sources: NewsFirst — Legal action against vehicles with dangerous modifications and noisy exhausts; Ada Derana — Police launch crackdown on illegal vehicle modifications; Newswire — Police crack down on illegal vehicle modifications.
