July 02, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is losing close to 30 people every day to accidents, with health authorities warning that a large proportion of these fatalities could be avoided through greater public awareness and stronger safety measures.
Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo, Consultant Community Physician Dr Samitha Sirithunga of the Ministry of Health said accidental injuries continue to pose a major public health challenge, claiming between 8,000 and 10,000 lives across the country each year.
According to the Ministry’s estimates, an average of four people die every three hours due to various forms of accidental injury, underscoring the scale of the problem and its impact on families and communities.
While road traffic accidents remain one of the leading causes of accidental deaths, Dr Sirithunga pointed out that many other fatal incidents receive far less public attention. These include falls, drowning, electrocution and snake bites, all of which continue to claim lives across the country on a regular basis.
He stressed that many of these incidents are preventable and called for greater emphasis on safety education, stricter adherence to precautionary measures and improved public awareness campaigns. He also highlighted the importance of fostering a stronger culture of accident prevention at home, in workplaces and on the roads.
Describing the situation as a significant but often overlooked public health concern, Dr Sirithunga urged both authorities and the public to work together to reduce avoidable accidents and save lives through simple yet effective preventive action.
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