Seat belts will be mandatory from 20 September for all persons travelling in all seats of vehicles operating on expressways, following Parliament’s approval of the relevant order.

The Order published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2493/19 dated 17 June, which brings an end to the concessionary period granted for compliance with the requirement, was approved by Parliament.

The matter was discussed recently at a meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, Highways and Urban Development, chaired by Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Rathnayake.

The requirement was introduced through an amendment to the Motor Traffic (Expressways) Order of 3 August 2011, published under Gazette No. 1717/14. Gazette Notification No. 2455/29, issued on 25 September 2025, made the wearing of seat belts mandatory for all persons travelling in vehicles operating on expressways.

The measure was introduced to reduce fatalities caused by road accidents and minimise the severity of injuries sustained in such accidents.

A three-month concessionary period was initially granted from the date of publication of the 2025 Gazette to allow vehicle owners to install seat belts in seats that had not been fitted with them by the vehicle manufacturer. The concessionary period ended on 25 December 2025.

However, following public requests for additional time to install seat belts, the period was subsequently extended from 20 March to 19 June.

Meanwhile, Parliament has also approved Orders published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2489/22 dated 19 May concerning minimum standards and specifications for the technical condition of vehicles used for passenger transport services.

The measures cover vehicles regulated by the National Transport Commission, Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authorities and the Transport Board, including passenger, school and office transport services and vehicles used for special tours operated on a hired basis.

The committee noted that ensuring roadworthiness has become increasingly important with the rising number of motor vehicles and growing concerns over road safety and environmental protection.

Studies on road accidents have shown that serious crashes are caused not only by driver errors but also by mechanical defects and poor vehicle maintenance.

Minister Rathnayake requested Parliamentarians to raise awareness among vehicle owners and the public regarding the new requirements and the importance of maintaining vehicles in a roadworthy condition.