Driver negligence caused Ella-Wellawaya bus accident: Senior DIG

8 September 2025 07:55 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 23 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Colombo, Sept. 8 (Daily Mirror) - The fatal bus accident on the Ella-Wellawaya road was caused by the negligence of the driver, Senior DIG of Traffic Administration and Road Safety, Indika Hapugoda said.

Addressing the media today (8), he said that investigations revealed the driver had lost control of the bus, causing it to veer off the road and fall into a precipice.

The tragedy occurred on the night of September 4, when a bus carrying staff members of the Tangalle Urban Council and their families, who were returning from a picnic, fell into a ravine at the 24th milepost on the Ella-Wellawaya main road. The accident claimed 15 lives and left 17 others injured.

DIG Hapugoda said special investigations are being carried out by motor vehicle inspectors and a dedicated police team, under the instructions of the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Badulla and Bandarawela districts.

Comments - 23

maha Monday, 08 September 2025 08:04 PM

of cause fault with the driver, no one else was in the seat

4 21

Adwani Monday, 08 September 2025 08:44 PM

But the passengers claimed that the Conductor was telling them in a loud voice that their is a brake failure. If the Conductor is alive, he should be questioned about the Driver's behaviour.

0 32

Rip Winkle Monday, 08 September 2025 09:09 PM

This conclusion doesn't fit in with the passenger's statement about the driver saying that the brakes weren't working before he'd lost control, right?

2 36

stfup Monday, 08 September 2025 09:52 PM

The passenger commented that the driver had stated it more than once taking bends. When it happened in the first instance, he should have taken precautions to stop. He apparently didn't. So, whose fault is that?

0 13

Another view Monday, 08 September 2025 10:54 PM

If the driver new a head he could have changed gear down to slow the bus and also steer to avoid the precipice side of road.

0 4

Retired Bus driver from Fairyland Tuesday, 09 September 2025 04:01 AM

Testing of the brakes before the bus leaves the depot is the responsibility of the driver. If the foot brakes failed the driver should have applied the park brake. In some buses interlock brakes are fitted (mainly in coach style buses). If the conductor knew that the brakes were failing there was sufficient time for the driver to release the park brake. If park brakes are not fitted on all buses that's a failure of the authorities.

0 5

Dr Tissa Fernando Monday, 08 September 2025 09:49 PM

This DIG risks himself being suspended and transferred by overstepping the wishes of Big talk big headed Transport minister who has not uttered a single word or done a single thing to improve road safety. He has allowed his comrade drivers to go on a mission.

40 0

Dr Ranil Supporter, previously Dr Namal and Dr Sajith Supporter Tuesday, 09 September 2025 01:59 PM

Please get some help from the Presidential fund to get your swollen, hatred-filled head examined.

0 18

joshua Monday, 08 September 2025 09:49 PM

If the brakes failed how can the driver be negligent unless there are other things he could have done in the aftermath of the brakes failure. DIG should say that rather than just blaming the driver despite there is evidence of the conductor.

1 5

Dr. Dee esquire Monday, 08 September 2025 10:03 PM

The SUV driver and owner should claim damages from the bus.

2 7

Jude Monday, 08 September 2025 10:53 PM

Now that the driver is dead, you put all the blame on bus driver. Yeah drivers fault, negligence whatever!!

0 4

Cannot be, according to witnesses Monday, 08 September 2025 10:57 PM

Their are witnesses who heard to conductor say the bus had brakes failed. Then the jeep that it the back of the bus that caused problems too. How can the DIG blame a dead man, who has no one to defend himself. Seems like Jeep driver or owners paid off the police.

3 3

M Fernando Monday, 08 September 2025 11:53 PM

So the obviously Rich Man's SUV which was involved in the same event and was implicated as actually causing the accident is totally innocent ?

6 4

James Tuesday, 09 September 2025 01:14 AM

Drivers should be more educated not use brakes going down hill as they can overheat and lose braking effectiveness. Engine braking should be used using 1-3 lower gears. Automatic transmission vehicles should be driven with OD off and in 2,L,B gears instead of D when going downhill for prolonged distances

0 2

Cassie Tuesday, 09 September 2025 01:33 AM

Conclusion contradicts the passenger's narrative. The deceased driver is made to be the fall guy so that the case is closed and he can't challenge it. Not so fast. Interview the conductor and the woman who claimed the passengers were told to crouch that the brakes failed. Then there is the SUV driver who was arrested for "causing the accident." This is not an open and shut case until it all makes sense. The public expects accountability and transparency otherwise it will be said that it is a cover up for a political connection.

2 1

FredSnR Tuesday, 09 September 2025 02:18 AM

The system is broken.That's everything from top to bottom in the system, not just the driver. Everything from licensing to vehicle maintenance to driver behaviour, roads etc, Will take time but need to take a step in the right direction to fix .And concentrate on basics. That's preparation, rules, discipline, focus. Often the difference between success and failure .

0 1

Ram P Tuesday, 09 September 2025 04:39 AM

OK driver at fault and he is no more. Why not take preventive action for the future by getting all heavy vehilce and bus drivers to do 2 hours of road safey study every year. First give them a wuationaire then chesk their answers and teach them what gear to use when going down hill, the use of brakes etc. These are elementaries in driving. I believe these drivers try to save on fuel and without using low gear use the brakes and when the drums gets heated due to friction the brakes tends to fail. Also reward any passenger who records drivers not using the low gear in these situations and provide such recordings to authorities. The noise that the engine makes always indicate if the vehicle is on a low gear when going down hill. So it's easy to record

0 0

Ylg Tuesday, 09 September 2025 04:41 AM

What's the point though. Will the cops do anything about the reckless driving of the buses? NO THEY WON'T. ! If anything has to be investigated. Investigate that !

1 1

Truth Tuesday, 09 September 2025 06:41 AM

Not only responsible, need to know who is accountable for this mess...

0 0

wsw Tuesday, 09 September 2025 07:00 AM

Let this tragedy not be a coverup to protect some, the owner of the bus should also have been arrested and compelled to hand over official vehicle servicing logs, this would have confirmed the state of the vehicle to ascertain if it was roadworthy enough to travel on steep upcountry terrain.

0 5

Darcey Tuesday, 09 September 2025 08:01 AM

Does our life have a value here

0 0

mnsmart Tuesday, 09 September 2025 08:47 AM

Is this going to be just another incident and forgotten in a few days? No concrete action to curtail the Bus menace.

0 2

kumar Tuesday, 09 September 2025 09:18 AM

No explanation given. Is the driver who is dead being made the scape goat to save the bus owner and the luxury car driver. one photo shows the car is clearly on the off side.

0 2

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