• 422 fatalities, 641 property damages 
• Defective vehicles prohibited on Horana roads, legal action against vehicles with defective lighting and signaling systems, faulty brakes, missing side mirrors
• Tourist dies in train accident 

The Police stated that more than 3,600 road accidents have been recorded within the first two months of the year. According to the Police Media Division, a total of 3,642 road accidents occurred during the period from January 1 to 2 March. It is further noted that 405 fatal road accidents occurred during this period, resulting in 422 fatalities. The Police also stated that 866 serious accidents, 1,730 accidents resulting in minor injuries, and 641 accidents involving property damage were reported.

Meanwhile, prohibition orders have been issued for 15 defective vehicles identified during a special inspection operation conducted within the Horana Police Division, the Horana Police announced. During the operation, a total of 107 vehicles were inspected. In addition to the prohibition orders, the Police initiated legal proceedings against 35 individuals for other traffic-related offenses. Legal action was taken against vehicles found with defective lighting and signaling systems, faulty brakes, missing side mirrors, or in cases where the riders failed to use safety helmets. The traffic inspection was conducted with the objective of minimising road accidents within the Horana Police Division, as defective vehicles remain a primary cause of such incidents.

Elsewhere, an 82-year-old British tourist has died after being struck by a train on Monday evening (9) while standing on a railway bridge between the Wadduwa and Pinwatta Railway Stations. According to the Pinwatta Police, the deceased was part of a group that included two foreign tourists and three Sri Lankan nationals, among them a small child. The group had reportedly gone to the nearby beach and later climbed onto the railway bridge to sightsee, believing that the bridge was no longer in use. However, while they were on the bridge, an express train traveling from Beliatta to Colombo approached along the track. The group reportedly attempted to move away from the railway line. The oncoming train then had struck the British tourist and he had fallen into the Pinwatta canal. He died at the scene, the Police noted. The others managed to jump from the bridge into the canal and escape. A foreign woman, a young child, and a Sri Lankan man sustained injuries and were admitted to the Panadura Base Hospital for treatment.