By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama   

MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) was seen riding unregistered high-engine-capacity motorcycles in violation of the Department of Motor Traffic Act and the Road Traffic Act. This was done to show his support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming 2024 Presidential Election.  

 The MP, along with several other riders, rode to a meeting hall in Talduwa, Kalutara North, to make this announcement. The motorcycle ride covered a distance of one and a half kilometres, starting from Wadiyamankada Junction and ending at a holiday resort in Talduwa, Kalutara North, on Sunday (4).   

According to the Department of Motor Traffic Act, unregistered vehicles are not allowed on the road unless they have a garage/dealer’s plate or a temporary permit for testing, registration purposes, or removal from customs.   

However, a senior official from the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) claimed that Cabinet approval was not granted regarding the registration of high-engine-capacity motorcycles.   
During a recent political meeting in the Kalutara District, many SLPP activists gathered and expressed their support for the party, while also discussing various issues.   

MP Abeygunawardena has proposed new regulations for registering high-engine-capacity motorcycles in the country. He highlighted that there are many motorcycles in Sri Lanka with engine capacities over 450CC and suggested that motorcycles with engine capacities ranging from 450CC to 1300CC should be registered under special regulations.