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Motorists can complain

20 September 2011 09:14 pm - 33     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Amidst the continuous harassment faced by motorists on the roads by apparent VIP vehicle convoys that travel beeping horns and flashing head lights, Inspector General of Police (IGP) N.K Illangakoon yesterday said that motorists can complaint on 119 about vehicle convoys that interrupt the traffic flow and cause a nuisance to other road users.

“Day or night using head lights and causing trouble to other motorists is a traffic offence as it is in the Motor Traffic Act. The law is applicable for any individual who causes trouble to the public,” he said.

 “We cannot decide the number of vehicles that should be in a convoy of an individual. What we can do is that we can take action against them if they are interrupting the daily traffic flow in the respective area,” he said.

“We cannot control the number of vehicles,” he said. It was reported in March this year that a car driven by President Mahinda Rajapaksa was nearly hit by a VIP convoy when he was touring the city to monitor vehicular conduct of VIPs on the roads.

He was inspecting to see the trouble these VIPs are giving ordinary people on the road. Following the incident he warned the Ministers not to cause problems to the public on the road in driving fast as he got many reports on VIP vehicles hitting innocent people on the roads.

“The public has complained to the police of such disruptions but no action has been taken against such individuals who cause trouble to motorists,” a concerned motorist said.

Although it is learnt that only a limited number of ministers and service chiefs were entitled to use several vehicles in their convoys, many individuals including businessman are currently using up to three or four vehicles in their respective convoys and travelling by posing off as ministers. (Supun Dias)

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  Comments - 33

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  • David Wednesday, 21 September 2011 07:04 AM

    Ridiculous statement from the IGP, we all know that the policeman themselves tell us to stop in order to allow room for convoys

    Geriatrix Wednesday, 21 September 2011 06:07 AM

    why not we start by telling about how buses drive? They know where the cops are and slow down.. but once out of sight, its a ride to hell!!!

    Chandana Jayalath Wednesday, 21 September 2011 06:16 AM

    Two main deadly sources are the VIp scods and long run private omini bus service. Each four minutes take one life in Sri Lanka. General public must not be afraid of anyone. They must first complain the Police 119 at the spot

    sc Wednesday, 21 September 2011 06:22 AM

    so many Defenders with monkeys inside !!

    Chathu Wednesday, 21 September 2011 06:16 AM

    I agree with you.

    Chathu Wednesday, 21 September 2011 06:24 AM

    I agree with you.

    chitra. Wednesday, 21 September 2011 07:01 AM

    It is time you, the IGP stopped this diabolical act.Why should the Ministers need a convoy of so many vehicles if the emergency law is lifted in Srilanka.In fact they only need two vehicles one on the front of the Ministerial car and the other one behind.The innocent pedestrians have to jump out of their way or else move the vehicles suddenly otherwise they will get killed or even might have a heart attack.I live in England and we don't come across these things over here.When I was in Srilanka I came across a few which made me frightened.

    Hirantha Wednesday, 21 September 2011 07:07 AM

    What is the speed limit for the Monkeys in a convoy ?

    sarath Wednesday, 21 September 2011 07:01 AM

    EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    lovesri Wednesday, 21 September 2011 06:06 AM

    Train those VIPs on time and task management. Need not to rush and harm others. In a country without any problems from terrorism drive like others. "Why different rules for different people"

    upul Wednesday, 21 September 2011 07:14 AM

    Why not instruct the people on these vehicles ,most of them are police personnel not to drive/act like crazy instead we having to complain.

    Kuda Wednesday, 21 September 2011 07:17 AM

    Not only do they have a number plate like WPC 2010/2011, they continue to use it for months on end. But the general public have to change their number plates(garage number plates) within a matter of days. So can the public complain against it too? And will the Police take action on it? Or is it yet another joke?

    peter Fernando Wednesday, 21 September 2011 07:16 AM

    I am a resedent of Col 15 i have noticed the three wheeler drivers are openly violating the traffic law & creating lot of problems to innocent citizens of this country, in our area there are lot of three wheeler drivers are blocking the pockets of the entrance of all the by roads some time double parking and also the bunch of drivers are blocking the entrance and use to gossip, two vehicles cannot be crossed due to this hassle some times one has to reverse back, or we have to argue with them and getting in to unwanted trouble can you order all Police station to look in this trouble pls. .

    Dave Wednesday, 21 September 2011 07:28 AM

    Oh boy, Looks like they finally realized it was against the traffic
    law. This is the problem when they have not learned Stop says the red light , Go says the green.

    Monkeys they do look with hands waving lights flashing.

    Hash Wednesday, 21 September 2011 07:33 AM

    The guard is provided by the police.... And still we have to complain to the police... One of Election jokes ?

    F Jurangpathy Wednesday, 21 September 2011 07:31 AM

    The complainer will be arrested by the police for complaining against the VIP convoy.

    Lansi Perera Wednesday, 21 September 2011 07:40 AM

    This is just another statement by higher ups though doesn't mean anything, the way of life in Sri Lanka, unfortunately. Hopefully, IGP will prove me wrong.

    Dee Wednesday, 21 September 2011 03:57 AM

    Are the calls to 119 toll free from any network? if not its good revenue.
    Commendable initiative from the IGP but its implementation and control is a big question.

    Hirantha Wednesday, 21 September 2011 06:10 AM

    Joke of the day ! how can the police stop a convoy, when they are not in a postion discipline the damm private bus drivers ?

    piyal Wednesday, 21 September 2011 05:53 AM

    Worth to remember the infamous question asked by Father Mathew Peiris from Top Officer Tiral Gunatilleke when he asked we need your help to solve -
    "What you can do?"

    Anil Wednesday, 21 September 2011 05:55 AM

    It is the Police who stop us at traffic lights to enable convoys to go against the lights

    Nina Kamal Wednesday, 21 September 2011 05:48 AM

    if you can't maintain law and order for the general public, please pave way for the seat to be replaced, with a suitable candidate who does not wag tails!

    Leslie Wednesday, 21 September 2011 05:45 AM

    Good to know that the IGP has a sense of humour! Don't be fooled, he knows which side of the bread is buttered.

    asanka Wednesday, 21 September 2011 05:39 AM

    So you want me to do the job for you?

    Conrad Wednesday, 21 September 2011 05:44 AM

    Restrict the convoys only to the President, PM, Speaker, Defence Sec and Opposition leader. It is the most sensible way to curb the problem.

    KJ Wednesday, 21 September 2011 05:37 AM

    Since the security situation is good in the country why politicians need convoys except for a few VVIPs. This is just wasting public money and harassing general public.

    randunu Wednesday, 21 September 2011 05:34 AM

    This exercise is not to prevent politicos from doing this. If we complain against politicos nothing will happen. But this is for finding those businessmen and other people who do this. So no point of complaining. If police cannot prevent politicos from demolishing peoples properties and punishing government servants in brutal ways by binding them to trees how could they stop convoys?

    anjana Wednesday, 21 September 2011 05:33 AM

    hahahaha...what will you do Mr. IGP? Put the offenders behind bars? Hahahahahaha....

    Namal Wednesday, 21 September 2011 05:26 AM

    Both I believe.

    surain Wednesday, 21 September 2011 05:25 AM

    Believe me there will be over 1000 (one thousand) complains per a day against them. that is the crazy way those VIP vehicles run on the Road.

    Sean Wednesday, 21 September 2011 05:26 AM

    How exactly do I complain when all the vehicles have the same number plate? If I complain that a LR Defender or a Toyota Landcruiser with the no. WPC 2010/2011 ran me off the road, would the IGP be able to identify which one it was?

    Vishan Alvis Wednesday, 21 September 2011 05:26 AM

    Complain about the cops to the cops...Are serious Mr. IGP? Ohhh...I hear loud horns, flashin lights..here comes another one..outta the way...!!!

    Gamaya Wednesday, 21 September 2011 05:12 AM

    Is this a dream or joke?


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