Clean Co and Laugfs invest over Rs 1 billion for emission testing

Two private companies Clean Co Lanka (Pvt ) Ltd and Laugfs Eco Sri (Pvt) Ltd are to invest over Rs 1 billion to implement the Government’s Vehicle Emission Testing programme aimed at creating air pollution free environment for the benefit of future generations.

These two companies have been selected for this Public Private sector Partnership in a transparent tender procedure to issue emission testing certificates following an emission test on vehicles with effect from the 1st of April next year.

A revenue licence will not be issued to vehicles without an emission test certificate. Clean Co Lanka (Pvt ) Ltd and Laugfs Eco Sri (Pvt) Ltd will invest 1billion rupees and 500 million rupees respectively to import testing equipment and setup 56 fixed and mobile testing stations countrywide including the North and East.

The annual fee for issuing an emission certificate by two authorized private companies will be Rs 247.50 for a motor cycle, Rs 302.50 for a three wheeler, Rs 660.00 for a car, Rs 715.00 for a dual purpose vehicle, Rs 935.00 for a lorry, Rs 605.00 for a private coach or bus and Rs 990.00 for a prime mover.

The targeted annual revenue from the issuance of licences is around 1536 million rupees as the motor vehicle population in Sri Lanka is estimated to reach 2.4 million by 2008. Ten percent of this amount should be credited to the government.

Addressing a ceremony organized to launch Sri Lanka’s first ever Vehicle Emission Testing programme at the BMICH, Chairman Laugfs W.K.H Wegapitiya said Laugfs was committed to providing 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”.

Wegapitiya added that not only would this joint initiative between Clean Co and Laugfs Eco Sri result in a pollution free environment, but they would also be advising motorists how to maintain a better vehicle, thus extending the life span of the vehicle, and ensuring a financial benefit to the motorist as well

Director Clean Co, Anura Vidanagamage, noted, “simple matters such as shabby fuel caps, worn-out spark plugs, bad air cleaners, and improper engine tune-up can cause unacceptable levels of vehicle emissions. Emissions mean unburned fuels, and if we reduce fuel consumption by 1% by emission control, it saves Rs. 1 billion yearly to the nation. We strongly believe that unless this is monitored and regulated, the damage caused, could in the near future be detrimental for the healthy existence of all living beings.” Speaking on the occasion, Minister Minister of Environmental and Natural Resources Patali Champika Ranawaka, said “the government would never compromise the protection of our resource base with any development activity.

The protection of the country’s air resources is top in the country’s environmental protection agenda. Our concern for the environment is reflected in the 2008 budget which proposed several new initiatives including the introduction of a new environmental tax act and the establishment of the Sri Lanka Carbon Fund.”

Minister of Transport Dulles Alahapperuma, said that the Government has taken a policy level decision to regulate vehicle emission and fuel standards and thereby mitigate the mounting threat to public health.

Commissioner of Motor Traffic B. Wijeratne noted that the traffic police will also be empowered to test vehicles for emissions even after the issuance of a certificate and to cancel the emission test certificate if a vehicle emits excessive exhausts.