From August 1, owners of cars and motorcycles are expected to pay a “symbolic levy” of between Rs. 100 and Rs. 300, as decided by the Central Environmental Authority chairman (The Sunday Times FT section of August 3, 2008).
I have no idea what this “symbolic levy” means. The CEA chairman insists that fuel emission tests be conducted on vehicles that use dirty petrol and diesel before revenue licences are issued.
The CEA chairman further says that “vehicles such as lorries, buses and three-wheelers will not be taxed, although they contribute much to air pollution”. This statement is proof that the chairman does not know what he is talking about.
The exorbitant prices of tyres, batteries and spare parts have compelled hundreds of people to sell off their vehicles or use their vehicles very sparingly. That is why you see so many small cars (such as the Maruti and the Micro) on the streets.
The recent hikes in revenue licence fees and insurance should be more than enough to cover all the symbolic levies the CEA chairman is trying to impose on the public.
Meanwhile, why isn’t the Central Environmental Authority doing something about the garbage problem. A garbage disposal solution must be found fast, for a greener and more beautiful Sri Lanka.
The President should intervene in this matter soon and stop this nonsense forthwith.
The “symbolic levy” is entirely an exercise to make money for the government.
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