Police call for ban on full face helmets

19 February 2014 04:33 pm - 11 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Following the Rs. 20 million robbery of a jewellery and money exchange centre in Negombo by armed men wearing full face helmets, the need for implementation of the law against wearing such helmets has arisen.

Police spokesman Ajith Rohana said such incidences were the consequences of not having implemented the law earlier.

“In many countries this law is being implemented. When we wanted to implement it, certain sections of the public claimed the law was brought in to assist a high-profile individual engaged in the helmet trade; that was a baseless allegation,” he said.

“Now you see the results it has brought. Even the CCTV camera footage is useless when people wear such helmets and enter jewellery shops or even ATM’s. It is difficult to identify the suspects,” he noted.

“But since we have managed to recover the two motorbikes used for the robberies we will be able to arrest the three men involved in this particular robbery,” he added.

SSP Ajith Rohana said the police wanted the law implemented for two reasons - one because of instances where criminals escaped identification by using tinted visors and the other because of the increase in deaths due to the use of such helmets.

The regulations prohibiting the use of motorcycle helmets which covered the whole face and helmets with tinted visors were brought into effect in November last year prior to CHOGM, but within a week the law was reversed.

According to the regulations brought in by the police, helmets covering the face between the eyebrows and the chin were to be prohibited. (Supun Dias)

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Comments - 11

Bob Marley Thursday, 20 February 2014 05:29 AM

Full face helmet to protect head. do you think robber's will follow police orders in a robbery. via DM Android App

Fuzzy Thursday, 20 February 2014 06:02 AM

why not pass a law that nobody with helmets can enter Banks, Jewellery Shops etc. Why risk the safety of innocent motorcyclists for the inability of the police to maintain law and order. via DM Android App

No kole Thursday, 20 February 2014 06:40 AM

This means if ones hand is cut by a knife are you going to banned the use knifes in Restaurants ? Law makers one has to be wise

Ranil Thursday, 20 February 2014 06:51 AM

What next? Ban dust masks, handkerchiefs, sunglasses too??
Criminals can always find ways to hide their identities. Reducing safety of millions over a few incidents like this is really narrow minded shallow thinking.
SL police is incompetent enough only to depend in CCTV footage that shows criminals clearly?

OIC Thursday, 20 February 2014 07:30 AM

Why only helmets - why not ban motor cycles also . As per the Police argument t, not only robberies , we can stop accidents also .
Stupid ! the way Police make regulations .

Perumal Thursday, 20 February 2014 02:31 AM

This is called erratic balancing of helllmet between safety and anonymity!

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 20 February 2014 06:42 AM

I am sure these robbers were wearing underwear, why not ban mens underwear also.

Tridax Thursday, 20 February 2014 08:05 AM

When was the last time police arrested anybody even when the face was clear on the CC camera ?

Das Thursday, 20 February 2014 01:39 PM

How about a ban on all white coloured vans?
And,on all vehicles without number plates?

DB Thursday, 20 February 2014 03:03 PM

The police department has made a clown of itself.

Foreigner Thursday, 20 February 2014 04:34 PM

..also, full helmet is very Western, and we cannot have that can we..? LOL ;D

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Police call for ban on full face helmets

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