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Police put brakes on move to fine drivers for worn tyres
Last year’s import ban on tyres had a negative impact on this week’s decision by police to fine drivers with faulty tyres after a recent fatal accident.
Police have now temporarily withdrawn plans to inspect and fine drivers for using worn tyres following a public outcry over the fact that a shortage of tyres has made it difficult for drivers to maintain roadworthy vehicles.
Tyre shop owners confirm that drivers are finding it difficult to source tyres.
“Every day, about 10 drivers, especially those driving smaller vehicles, come to us desperately searching for 12, 13 and 14-inch tyres. Some opt for used ones, paying high prices, as there is no way to find tyres in an emergency. We are getting a lot of airport drivers searching for tyres,” said K. Sanjeewa, who owns a tyre dealership in Colombo.
He said some tyre shops have increased prices of bus tyres from Rs. 38,000 to Rs. 48,000-50,000. Tyres that were previously Rs. 7,400-7,500 are being sold for Rs. 9,000, and these are hard to obtain even at that price.
“If there is an import ban, the local supply should be strengthened. Otherwise there won’t be roadworthy vehicles in the coming months as most will be running with worn tyres,” Mr. Sanjeewa said.
An employee of Kandy Tyre House said during the past few months there has been no supply of locally-manufactured tyres for smaller vehicles.
“We are getting many inquiries from drivers of vehicles such as the Alto and WagonR,” he said.
Anuradhapura District MP Rohana Bandara this week raised the issue in parliament, saying the shortage of tyres, especially for “batta” mini-trucks, has affected the livelihood of farmers and low-income businesses.
Sri Lanka’s largest tyre manufacturing facility was declared open early this year.
This week, police introduced a plan to fine motorists and drivers of vehicles that had worn or unroadworthy tyres. Police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said those found guilty would be fined Rs. 3,500 under the Motor Traffic Act.
The plan was shortly afterwards suspended due to the shortage of tyres in the country.
Dr. T. Sivakumar, senior lecturer at Moratuwa University’s Department of Transport and Logistics Management, said the move to inspect worn tyres, check engine performance and roadworthiness was commendable in the effort to prevent accidents caused by faulty parts – but not at a time of shortages of spare parts.
Motor Traffic Commissioner Sumith Alahakoon said the department was willing to strengthen inspection with police once tyres are in adequate supply.
He added that the department was short of motor examiners qualified to inspect vehicles. “There are about 122 qualified motor examiners in the country. The country needs more examiners to ensure vehicles both in the cities and outstations are roadworthy,” he said.