The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, the Answer to the Question raised by the Hon. Member under Standing Order 27(2) is as follows:

¶ 02 1. (Table provided)

¶ 03 Year | Test count | Total Revenue (LKR Million) | Contractor (LKR Million) | VET Fund (LKR Million) | Gov. Tax (LKR Million) - 2020: 5,238,823 | — | — | — | 227.2 - 2021: 5,550,473 | — | — | — | 239.5 - 2022: 5,573,865 | — | — | — | 393.4 - 2023: 5,720,021 | 4,365.5 | 3,364.7 | 336.5 | 664.3 - 2024: 5,799,683 | 4,843.8 | 3,638.5 | 363.3 | 841.5

¶ 04 2. The database does not categorize by Government or private. Under the Motor Traffic Act, every vehicle must obtain an annual emission certificate to renew its revenue licence; vehicles without a valid certificate cannot legally operate.

¶ 05 3. Disaggregated data are not available. Nevertheless: - Almost all Government vehicles require a revenue licence and therefore must obtain an emission certificate. - Military vehicles are exempt from presenting at regular centres; VET officers conduct inspections within camps, many of which have their own testing machines. In 2024, 4,565 Army vehicles were tested under this arrangement.

¶ 06 4. Yes. Cabinet has approved a comprehensive study for the next phase of testing, integrating an annual roadworthiness test from 1 January 2028. Key recommendations: - Move from “no‑load” to “loaded” testing to reflect real conditions. - Update regulations to prevent temporary tuning to pass tests; introduce garage accreditation and improve technician training. - Continuous public awareness on health risks of air pollution. - Update penalties to address adulterated fuel undetectable by current tests. - Strengthen enforcement; introduce spot‑fine systems for failed vehicles/non‑compliant contractors; simplify police roadside check procedures. - Introduce phased retirement/scrappage for very old vehicles. - Provide legal status and authority to the VET Fund to ensure oversight.

¶ 07 5. Since 2008, the contractor’s test fee has been revised five times. Latest fees effective 1 October 2025: - Motorcycle (Petrol): LKR 640 - Motor Tricycle (Petrol/Diesel): LKR 770 - Motor Car (Petrol/Diesel): LKR 1,690 - Dual Purpose Vehicle/Van (Petrol/Diesel): LKR 1,840 - Motor Lorry (Petrol/Diesel): LKR 2,400 - Motor Coach (Petrol/Diesel): LKR 1,550 - Prime Mover (Diesel): LKR 2,540

¶ 08 6. Yes. Measures include: - Special permit system for public transport drivers. - Upgrading the Road Safety Council to commission level. - More roadside inspections. - Introducing an annual roadworthiness test alongside emission testing. - Multilevel awareness and school-based safety units.

¶ 09 Hon. Speaker, that is the full answer. We held a media briefing on further steps. We expect all public transport drivers to obtain a special driving licence by 31 December. We have instructed regulators and inspectors to check school vans, office vans, and buses.

¶ 10 We received the Ella accident report yesterday; it has been uploaded and is publicly accessible. It clearly shows the driver had driven excessive hours without rest and the brakes had serious issues even before the journey. Thus, both vehicle and driver issues exist. We therefore seek Parliament’s support to implement a roadworthiness inspection before public transport vehicles enter service.