– The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has warned that vehicle owners who fail to comply with maintenance orders issued over excessive smoke emissions could face blacklisting, affecting access to key vehicle-related services.

According to the Department, owners who ignore maintenance directives or fail to appear for follow-up inspections may encounter difficulties when obtaining revenue licences and other official documentation related to their vehicles.

Officials said that excessive black smoke emissions are not only a technical issue but also a serious environmental concern with long-term health and ecological consequences. Vehicle owners were urged to ensure proper maintenance to reduce harmful emissions.

Meanwhile, the DMT together with the Sri Lanka Police, launched a special roadside vehicle emission inspection programme in the Kandy District from May 6 to May 8.

Mobile emission testing units deployed in the Getambe and Katugastota areas identified several vehicles emitting excessive smoke, with immediate maintenance orders issued to the respective owners.

The Vehicle Emission Test Trust Fund (VETTF) said roadside inspections would be intensified from this month in response to a recent rise in vehicle-related air pollution.

Authorities said that emission inspections had temporarily slowed due to administrative changes following the integration of the trust fund as a direct unit under the DMT.