The Automobile Association of Ceylon (AA Ceylon), in collaboration with the Federation
Internationale de l’ Automobile (FIA) and under the UN’s Decade of Action for Road Safety,
has been consistently working to enhance road safety for all citizens in Sri Lanka.
Current data indicates that while over 8 million vehicles are registered in the country, but only
heavy vehicles (less than 20% of the vehicle population) are subjected to compulsory
road worthiness test. With fatal accidents due to technical failures on the rise, AA Ceylon has
launched the awareness project on “Vehicle Testing Can Save Lives”. This initiative aims
to educate the public on the necessity of checking essential safety features in all vehicles
and the benefits of same to all road users. Many accidents are not reported to Police or the
Department of Motor traffic because of the ‘on the spot’ settlements offered by insurance
companies. In developed countries road worthiness test is compulsory for all vehicles.
We have submitted our proposal on our campaign on “Vehicle Testing Can Save Lives” to
His Excellency the President, Hon. Minister of Transport, Hon. Minister of Health, the
Chairman, National Council for Road Safety (NCRS), Inspector General of Police, Dr. Indika
Jagoda, Deputy Director (Accident service), National Hospital, our project partner Lions club
of Boraleasgamuwa Metro (Lions club international – District 306 D 2), lobby groups and
other stakeholders to find a workable, low-cost solution for mandatory vehicle testing in Sri
Lanka.