Just as Sri Lankans were collectively drawing a sigh of relief with signs that a ceasefire would come into effect between our Indian ocean neighbours; India and Pakistan, two events at home shook Lankans back to the bitter realities we face as a nation.
On Friday, an Air Force helicopter crashed into Maduru Oya reservoir claiming the lives of 6 armed forces personnel. Yesterday, a calm long weekend Sunday ahead of Vesak week was shattered with news of a SLTB bus veering off a cliff side road in Garandiella, Ramboda, claiming 21 lives, including that of children. The images of an unconscious mother, cradling her infant child and protecting the child from the unfolding horror with her body, will likely remain scarred in the minds of those who saw it for the rest of their life. Sri Lanka has weathered many rough patches, terrorism, conflict, economic crises, natural disasters and pandemics, and has lived to tell the tale. Nevertheless, the creeping number of casualties from day-to-day events have become so frequent that the public has almost begun to accept them as a fact of life. The greatest tragedy is that while motoring and aviation have their own levels of risk, Sri Lanka seems to be failing in learning lessons from past experiences.
Issues with public transport safety have been well documented and have been a visible issue for decades. Questions raised as to why tangible measures have not been taken to address the issue is indicative of the lack of empathy and accountability of the governance of Sri Lanka over the last two to three decades. There have been multiple incidents where buses (which many observers have called unsafe and unfit for public transport) have run off narrow mountain and riverbank roads, many of which have no safety rails on the edge of their curb to prevent vehicles from falling over. Further, many bends and roads leading up and down mountain passes do not have a wide stretch, with a shoulder for motorists to pull over to a side for incoming large/oversized vehicles to pass. In 2023, another CTB bus veered off the road and fell down a precipice on the Colombo-Hatton main road, causing 18 casualties. Also in 2023, a bus travelling from Polonnaruwa to Kattankudy collided on the Kotaleeya Bridge at Manampitiya and toppled, killing a dozen passengers. In 2020, a bus plunged into a precipice in the Podaiswatta NC area on the Hatton-Dayagama road, injuring 49. Earlier this year, reports of a collision involving three buses at Angulugaha Junction in Imaduwa, Galle, which left at least 29 passengers injured saw a short debate on road safety and safety of the types of buses in use in Sri Lanka. Each time the Government called for inquiries, and reports were prepared, only to be forgotten with the next major incident on the news cycle.
According to a report of the Police, between 1 January and 13 December 2024, there were 2,243 persons who lost their lives in traffic accidents. 22,967 traffic accidents were reported during this time, 2,141 of which were fatal, making up 9% of all incidents. In addition, 9,127 minor accidents and 6,500 catastrophic accidents were reported. The Police report highlighted that 198 bus incidents resulted in fatalities in 2024. Further, 50 of these involved buses operated by the SLTB, and 148 involved private buses.
The urgency of action should be apparent to everyone. Should the Government not carry out a survey on accident prone sites along public roads, and map high risk sections which need to be urgently addressed? An appeal to multiple UN agencies and other development donors would surely see some of the necessary funding expedited if the Government made the case using the statistics and pointing out that urgent action can save lives.
A nationwide safety audit of all public transport assets, both State-owned and private, is warranted. It also goes without saying that the Government should strongly consider routine and random alcohol and narcotics tests for those who drive buses and trains. The lives of the public must be valued. The public deserves a safe and efficient public transport system.