• Garage owners to also come under scrutiny 

The Police warned that they will launch special operations during the Poson festival period to take action against motorcycles with illegal modifications, particularly those fitted with excessively loud silencers, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Traffic Control and Road Safety) W P J Senadheera said.

Addressing the media, Senadheera said yesterday (23) that the Police had observed during the recent ‘Vesak’ festival period that large groups of young people were riding motorcycles on roads causing inconvenience to the public while travelling to view lanterns and pandols. “Some groups created a significant public disturbance. Police officers have been informed to carry out special operations, especially against motorcycles with loud silencers,” Senadheera said. He said that motorcycles found with such modifications would be taken into Police custody through traffic officers, while legal action would be taken against the riders under the Motor Traffic Act. Senadheera also advised young people to restore their motorcycles to their proper condition if illegal modifications had been carried out.

He further warned that investigations would also be conducted against garage owners and other individuals involved in carrying out such vehicle modifications, and legal action would be taken where necessary.