The Environment and Natural Resources Ministry has announced that vehicle gas emission tests are compulsory. These tests effective from July 15 will be the deciding factor in renewing licences for all the motor vehicles for the following year, Ministry officials said.

Two private companies Clean Co Lanka (Pvt ) Ltd and Laugfs Eco Sri (Pvt) Ltd are to invest together over one billion rupees to implement the government’s Vehicle Emission Testing programme aimed at creating an air pollution-free environment. A revenue licence will not be issued to vehicles without an emission test certificate. The two companies will have testing equipment and set up 56 fixed and mobile testing stations countrywide including the North and East .

The annual fee for issuing an emission certificate will be Rs 247.50 for a motor cycle, Rs 302.50 for a three wheeler, Rs 660 for a car, Rs 715 for a dual purpose vehicle, Rs 935 for a lorry, Rs 605 for a private coach or bus and Rs 990 for a prime mover. The targeted annual revenue from the issuance of licences is around Rs 1536 million. Chairman Laugfs W.K.H Wegapitiya told The Sunday Times FT that Laugfs had a commitment to society to provide a cleaner environment. “Our endeavour is not to penalise the motorist, but to guide them to create a better environment by understanding the importance of maintaining a ‘healthy vehicle’ on the road, thereby contributing towards a pollution free country”.