News
Report proposes tougher laws against drivers to stem second largest cause of deaths
View(s):By Dilushi Wijesinghe
Road crash fatalities are now the second leading cause of death in Sri Lanka, according to a World Bank report seen by the Sunday Times.
The report on Road Safety in Sri Lanka which is due to be published, says with the highest per capita fatality rate in the region, the country faces weak road safety management, poor governance, and a lack of coordination among agencies — leaving lives at risk every day.
Commissioned at the request of the chair of the National Council for Road Safety (NCRS) and based on Global Road Safety Facility (GRSF) guidelines, the report evaluates Sri Lanka’s road safety performance and recommends priority improvements.
Despite being a leading cause of death and disability, road safety has received inconsistent attention for 25 years, costing the economy over US$4.1 billion in 2019 alone. While the UN Decade of Action led to a national Road Safety Action Plan in 2011— updated in 2016, 2020, and 2023 — the latest plan lacks a clear strategy, sustainable funding, and effective interagency coordination, the report states. 
Road safety initiatives are still stalled, the NCRS has no enforcement authority, and proposals for a more powerful Transport Safety Commission are still on hold. A funded short-term action plan and the establishment of an inter ministerial road safety council are among the urgent measures that experts are advocating.
The fragmented approach to road safety has resulted in weak enforcement and poor coordination.
Existing efforts, such as speed limit enforcement and crash data tracking, lack effectiveness due to the absence of a strong national safety framework. Another shortcoming is the National Road Master Plan (2021–2030), which establishes low safety goals that do not adequately address the scope of the problem.
Stricter enforcement, more stringent laws governing drivers and vehicles, and better post-crash trauma care must be the main goals of immediate improvements. Through 2030, a staged approach would execute long-term safety changes, align investments, and improve governance.
Weak compliance with helmet and seatbelt laws, as well as alcohol limits, further undermines enforcement efforts. Experts urge Sri Lanka to adopt WHO’s voluntary road safety targets, prioritising helmet and seatbelt use, speed control, and safer infrastructure. Increased expenditure would be justified and resource allocation improved with an independent tracking system.
Investment in road safety is worryingly low. The Road Development Authority (RDA) has taken initial steps to improve safety, but its approach remains focused on blaming driver error rather than addressing infrastructure shortcomings.
The report points out that traffic police enforcement is outdated and under-resourced, struggling to deter reckless driving, speeding, and drunk driving. The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) also falls behind in regulating vehicle and driver standards, lacking internationally recognized safety guidelines for imported vehicles.
Passenger transport regulation has similarly failed to improve safety, with weak oversight allowing unsafe practices to persist. While post-crash care has improved with the 1990 Suwasariya ambulance service, broader collaboration with the Ministry of Health on trauma care remains inadequate.
One of the most critical gaps in Sri Lanka’s road safety framework is data management. Crash data and network safety performance tracking are fragmented and underreported, making it difficult to develop a results-driven strategy.
Road safety financing is very limited, despite the urgent need for reform. The National Road Masterplan, which ought to serve as a guide for advancement, places shockingly low safety standards and prioritises user behaviour over structural flaws. Additionally, Sri Lanka has yet to adopt key UN safety legal instruments that could align its vehicle safety regulations with global standards.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!