Stay order on full-face helmets extended
May 18, 2015 11:10 am
The Court of Appeal on Monday (18) extended the stay order against the ban of full-face helmets till July 2.
A petition argued that if a ban implemented on full-face helmets, it would greatly inconvenience motorcyclists in the country and therefore sought an interim order suspending it.
A recent surge in crimes such as bank robberies and shootings committed by individuals wearing full-face helmets had led to the police department introducing the ban, which has been widely criticized by motorcyclists and politicians alike.
A large number of young motorcyclists had recently staged a protest against the move at Galle Face Green while a memorandum was handed over to the Minister of Public Order, Disaster Management and Christian Affairs John Amaratunga.
Laws pertaining to motorcycle helmets are included in the special gazette notification No. 644/26 (January 11, 1991) while these regulations have been prepared by the relevant ministry under the clause 158 (2) and 237 of the Motor Traffic (Amendment) Act (No. 21 of 1981).
