August 04, Colombo (LNW): The Government is preparing to introduce dedicated motorcycle lanes on major roads across Sri Lanka in its strategy to reduce the country’s high rate of motorcycle-related road accidents, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake has announced.
The initiative will first be tested through a pilot project in Kaluwanchikudy, where a section of the main road will be reserved exclusively for motorcycles before the scheme is considered for expansion to other parts of the country.
Explaining the rationale behind the proposal, the Minister said motorcycles are involved in the majority of road traffic accidents reported each year in Sri Lanka, making improved safety measures for riders a national priority.
Rathnayake noted that road accidents claim the lives of around 2,500 people annually, while the number of fatalities rose to approximately 2,750 in 2025, underlining the urgent need for stronger road safety interventions.
He further revealed that around 1,400 motorcycle riders and pillion passengers were killed in road accidents in 2019 alone, adding that nearly 9,000 deaths have been recorded in motorcycle-related crashes over the years.
The Minister stressed that reducing the number of motorcycle accidents would play a significant role in lowering the country’s overall road fatality rate and improving safety for all road users.
Under the pilot project, the designated motorcycle lane in Kaluwanchikudy will be physically separated from the rest of the carriageway using road barriers rather than relying solely on painted lane markings. According to the Minister, this approach has been chosen in view of the large number of motorcycles using the route and is expected to provide greater protection for riders while improving traffic management.
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