Sri Lanka Police traffic officers have been instructed to take strict legal action against motorcycles fitted with illegal modifications, changes to the sounds emitted or other alterations to their original design, as well as against unregistered motorcycles with engine capacities exceeding the allowed capacity.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police in charge of the Traffic and Road Safety Range, W.P.J. Senadheera said today (13) that police have observed instances in which groups of motorcyclists allegedly ride while under the influence of drugs, and in an impaired state of mind.

“What we have seen is that people riding motorcycles in groups are at least using drugs such as narcotic pills, cannabis, crystal methamphetamine (Ice), or cocaine, and are riding these motorcycles with a distorted mentality.”

He said all traffic officers have been instructed to enforce the law strictly and without leniency against individuals engaging in such dangerous and unlawful conduct.

“Therefore, the message we have to give is that we have informed traffic officers not to give any forgiveness and not to let the entire society be in danger because of such unruly, undisciplined, law-abiding youth.”

DIG Senadheera also stressed that legal action would be taken against those who provide vehicles to persons under the age of 18 or individuals without valid driving licenses.

He said Officers-in-Charge (OICs) of Police stations have been specifically instructed to arrest persons responsible for providing vehicles to underage individuals or to those over 18 who do not possess a valid driving licence.

“If a vehicle is given to someone under the age of 18 or someone over the age of 18 who does not have a valid driving license, especially when we see parents giving vehicles to children, we have clearly told the Officers-in-Charge (OICs) of Police Stations to arrest them.”