Government Unveils Expanded Drive to Curb Road Deaths and Strengthen Transport Safety
April 26, Colombo (LNW): The government has stepped up efforts to tackle the country’s rising number of road accidents through a wide-ranging initiative under its National Transport Action Plan, according to Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Ratnayake.
Speaking at a specialised workshop in Colombo, the Minister noted that road collisions claim over 2,700 lives each year, describing the figure as a serious national concern. He said the current administration, which assumed office roughly a year and a half ago, has already begun rolling out long-term measures aimed at reversing this trend.
His remarks were delivered during a one-day programme organised by the National Institute of Transport Medicine, focusing on the principles and application of random drug testing. The session, held at the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration, brought together a broad mix of professionals, including doctors, forensic specialists, laboratory personnel and technical experts, with support from the Government Analyst’s Department.
Ratnayake stressed that improving roads and introducing newer vehicles alone would not guarantee safer travel. He argued that meaningful progress depends equally on responsible behaviour, proper driver training and strict adherence to regulations.
He pointed out that more than half of reported accidents are linked to driver error, while a notable proportion involves individuals under the influence of drugs. These factors, he said, continue to undermine safety despite ongoing infrastructure upgrades.
The Minister outlined plans to significantly reduce fatalities by 2029, with a strategy that includes tighter enforcement, enhanced driver education, and the introduction of vehicles better suited to local conditions. He added that reforms are also being shaped with greater attention to safety standards and accountability within the transport sector.
Emphasising that road safety is a shared responsibility, Ratnayake called for sustained public cooperation alongside policy measures, warning that without a collective effort, lasting change would remain difficult to achieve.
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