- Teams sent to Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva
- Kandy submits 150 accident-reduction proposals
- Ella crash buses unregistered, many more like it
The Ministry of Transport and Highways is scrambling to improve road safety in the hill country amid expert warnings that current roadside guide rails and barriers cannot prevent buses from toppling.
The move comes after a deadly bus crash in Ella claimed 15 lives, highlighting the pressing need to improve road infrastructure, enforce vehicle regulations, and enhance traffic safety measures.
The bus, which toppled off a cliffside near Ella, had been recently withdrawn from proper inspection after it had been unregistered for trans-district travel, it was revealed.
Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Dr. Prasanna Gunasena’s Public Relations Officer Damian Weerakkody said the ministry would consult experts from Australia and Canada to recommend upgrades in high-risk mountainous areas.
The Ministry of Transport and Highways has launched an urgent nationwide road safety initiative following alarming statistics showing 1,757 accidents, 1,862 deaths, and thousands of injuries across the country between January and early September this year.
According to statistics released by the Police Media Division, between January and 4 September, there have been 1,757 road accidents reported across the country.
These incidents have resulted in 1,862 deaths, 3,532 serious injuries, and 6,444 minor injuries, while 2,721 persons have been recorded as being involved in accidents without injuries.
In response to these figures, the Ministry of Transport and Highways has announced that it is prioritising the implementation of the ‘Go Safe – Road Safety Action Plan 2025–2026’ to reduce the number of accidents and improve road safety standards nationwide. The initiative has gained added urgency following the recent accident in Ella.
Weerakkody explained that the ministry had already commenced work in several high-risk regions. He stated that teams had visited three provinces identified as being among the most dangerous, namely Sabaragamuwa, Central, and Uva, covering seven key districts. He added that particular attention was being given to areas with mountainous terrain and hazardous road conditions.
District transport and road safety committees are being established as part of the programme, comprising the district secretary, Members of Parliament, local authorities, and representatives from transport associations such as three-wheeler and school van operators. Their task is to identify the main causes of accidents and recommend practical, localised solutions.
Weerakkody noted that the Kandy District Committee alone had compiled approximately 150 proposals. A workshop is scheduled to be held in Kandy in mid-October to review these proposals.
“We will prioritise around 30 of the most urgent proposals and develop an implementation plan with assigned responsibilities, timelines, and budget allocations,” Weerakkody said. He confirmed that funding would come from the ministry as well as from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and private sector partners.
Weerakkody also highlighted the issue of unregulated private buses operating in the hill country. “The bus involved in the Ella accident was not registered under the National Transport Commission (NTC). Many such buses are not registered for passenger transport and therefore fall outside the jurisdiction of the NTC,” he said.
As a result, there is no official data on their numbers or their mechanical condition, including brake safety. He stressed that future regulations must ensure all such vehicles undergo technical inspections before being allowed to operate in high-risk areas. The revelation points to significant gaps in legislation and accountability.
In addition to infrastructure and vehicle regulation, the ministry has introduced new seatbelt requirements for buses. From 1 July, all drivers were required to wear seatbelts on all roads. From 1 August, rear-seat passengers were required to wear seatbelts on expressways, and from 1 September, the rule was extended to all passengers on expressways.
Weerakkody acknowledged that compliance remained a challenge, as many buses had not been fitted with passenger seatbelts yet. For this reason, a grace period has been introduced during which the Police has been instructed not to issue fines.
He also raised concerns about the sharp increase in the price of seat belts, which have risen from Rs. 2,500 to between Rs. 16,000 and 17,000. He confirmed that the ministry planned to meet with importers to establish a fixed and reasonable price.