Another week, another headline. Twenty-two people were killed and more than 30 injured in a devastating bus accident at Gerandi Ella, Ramboda. In the same week, a bus crash in Welimada left one person dead and 20 others injured. These are not isolated incidents, nor are they shocking anymore. They are part of a grim and predictable pattern, one that demands immediate, comprehensive, and honest intervention. Sri Lanka’s public transport system, particularly its bus network, seems to be in crisis and passengers feel unsafe.

Public discourse often revolves around the outdated, poorly-maintained and -constructed buses that still operate across the country. While that is an unpleasant reality, most of these buses lack even the most basic safety features. From missing seat belts to defective braking systems and decades-old chassis, the structural condition of public buses in Sri Lanka is often alarmingly substandard. But while technical issues are certainly part of the problem, they are far from the whole story.

A more uncomfortable, yet equally important, truth lies with the conditions under which Sri Lanka’s bus drivers operate, and the behaviour that is all too often tolerated or ignored. It has been reported repeatedly that many drivers are overworked and under-rested. Most lack access to proper rest stops, hygiene facilities, or safe environments to recover between long trips. Fatigue is a big concern. A sleep-deprived driver, operating a packed bus on narrow hill-country roads, is an accident waiting to happen.

There have been disturbing allegations of drug use among some drivers. The pressure to complete trips quickly, sometimes to maximise profits or stick to unrealistic schedules, has reportedly led some drivers to rely on substances to stay awake or alert. No amount of technological improvements to a bus will compensate for a driver under the influence. Compounding these issues is the widespread culture of recklessness. Many bus operators encourage or at least turn a blind eye to overloading/cramming passengers well beyond the vehicle’s intended capacity is a common thing. In an effort to earn more per trip, safety seems to have been compromised and this seems to have been normalised. Passengers also cling to doorways or ride standing in dangerously congested buses. This has become a normalised image in Sri Lanka, and that normalisation is a huge part of the problem.

Then there is the matter of speed. Sri Lankan bus drivers are notorious for racing each other on the roads, particularly on long-distance routes. The lack of proper monitoring and effective penalties has allowed this to continue unchecked. It is not uncommon for buses to overtake recklessly, take corners at unsafe speeds, or drive aggressively in mixed traffic conditions. These practices put not only passengers at risk but also pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists.

Government authorities have discussed implementing stricter technical regulations and these are absolutely necessary. Mandatory inspections, better quality control, and updated vehicle standards must become part of a national transport policy. But any such effort will fall short if the human aspect of the issue is not addressed in parallel.

Sri Lanka urgently needs an effective and operational national regulatory framework for bus drivers and operators. This must include mandatory rest periods, health checks, random drug testing, and certification programmes focused on safety and responsibility. Incentivising good behaviour and penalising reckless driving must be built into the system. Additionally, bus owners must be held accountable for overloading, mechanical failures, and employment practices that compromise safety.

The recent tragedies at Ramboda and Welimada are not anomalies. They are the latest symptoms of a failing system. If we continue to treat only the visible scars, i.e the broken windshields and dented frames, while ignoring the people behind the wheel and the system that exploits them, we will keep counting the dead every week.

This crisis demands more than talks. It demands courage, accountability, and a recognition that safety on the road starts with bus operators long before the engine is turned on.