CMA concerned over delay in issue of amended gazette notice

The Ceylon Motorcyclists’ Association (CMA) said they were concerned over the delay to issue the amended gazette notice on removing the full face helmet ban.

Addressing a press conference the CMA Secretary Chirantha Amarasinghe said following the Attorney General’s assurance to amend the clauses banning full face helmet in the present gazette, the CMA had withdrawn three cases filed against the authorities at the Appeal Court last Friday (04). Mr. Amarasinghe said the discussion held with the Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayake on April 06, the minister also had the same opinion and guaranteed to amend the present gazette by issuing a new Gazette, however the move did not come to effect so far.

“Both the AG and the Minister had assured us that the ban which was imposed by a gazette notice in 1991 had later been enforced by the Clause 39 of 2007 by a new Gazette notification. The Country’s law is what is gazetted. To add or amend something in a gazette, a separate gazette should be issued,” he said. He charged that the CMA had received information of an alleged attempt by the authorities to continue with the present gazette without issuing a fresh one due to the influence of the Police Department.

According to the present gazette, Mr. Amarasinghe said it is a violation of the law to wear even a SLS certified helmet, therefore it should have to be amended any way. He said as the AG and the related parties had already assured to adopt a new gazette while removing the full face ban, it is not possible to the police officers to fine the riders who wear full face helmets.

Mr. Amarasinghe requested the motorcyclist to inform the CMA via mobile number 077-3083479 of any fine being imposed.

“Do not give Rs 1,000 bribe to the traffic cops. Take the charge sheet and make sure the police to state the charge as wearing full face helmets on the charge sheet and inform the CMA. We would carry the legal support on such cases as the police cannot interfere on this issue,” he said.

Both the AG and the Minister had assured us that the ban imposed in 1991 had later been enforced by the Clause 39 of 2007 by a new Gazette notification