Govt. to ease punishment on seat belt law violations

The government has decided to amend the punishment for motorists violating the mandatory seat belts law by only fining the offenders, instead of producing them before court.

Police spokesman SP Ajith Rohana stated that according to prevailing law it is a must that motorists who violate the seat belts law appear before court to stand trial for their offence while there is no capability of issuing a fine for it.

However, after considering the difficulties and hardship the public had to face under these circumstances the President has instructed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to amend the regulation, so motorists can pay the fines through receipts instead of having to directly appearing before court.

  Therefore the IGP is scheduled to meet with the Transport Minister in order to discuss the matter and bring forth amendment to the present seat belt law, the police spokesman said, however adding, the law will be carried out in the same manner as fastening seat belts in vehicles is mandatory.