Ella bus tragedy: Driver’s blood samples sent for tests

7 September 2025 07:45 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 21 Bookmark

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By Prasad Rukmal - Ella

The blood samples of the driver of the excursion bus that plunged into a thousand-foot ravine in the Rawana Ella Reserve, killing 15 people and injuring 18 others, will be sent to the Government Analyst today (7) for further testing, Ella Police said.

The accident occurred on Thursday night (4) along the Ella–Wellawaya main road, near the 15th-mile post. A private excursion bus carrying employees of the Tangalle Urban Council and their family members was returning from Nuwara Eliya when it collided with a luxury jeep, crashed on to a roadside guardrail, and plunged into the ravine.

The bus driver, identified as Thomara Hannedige Chirat Dimantha (25) of Henakaduwa, Tangalle, also died in the crash.

Inspector H.P. Palitha, OIC of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Ella Police said the driver’s blood samples will undergo further investigation to determine whether he had been under the influence of drugs or any other toxic substance at the time of the accident.

Comments - 21

Scape goat Sunday, 07 September 2025 07:55 AM

Now put the blame on the driver saying he had taken drugs.

59 25

Dr Tissa Fernando Sunday, 07 September 2025 07:07 PM

Scape Goat, it is one of the tests. But just stand on any road for 3 hours observing how these guys are driving erratically. So 99% of the accidents here are due to drivers speeding, and overtaking from anywhere. Most Sri lankan drivers are focusing on overtaking the vehicle in front even if the vehicle in front is being driven at higher than the speed limit. Lorry busses are also a cause but very soon those Ytong buses will have the same fate unless big headed big talk Transport minister does some thing meaningful to reduce these daily fatal accidents instead of wasting time just blaming Rajapakshas for rain drought, flood, earth slides, Easter Attacks, container contents, etc etc.

2 3

Janaka Sunday, 07 September 2025 09:33 AM

Buses are driven like crazy even in Colombo city honking for no reason...they are racing with each other for 5 rupees extra...what is the point, everyone knows nothing is done to prevent these maniacs...

3 66

Riad Sunday, 07 September 2025 11:13 AM

Exactly, you’re absolutely right. The way buses are driven here is reckless and dangerous. They don’t care about rules or passenger safety, just racing each other for a few rupees. Sadly, nothing seems to change no matter how many complaints are made.

3 48

Asif Sunday, 07 September 2025 03:27 PM

What I would do! I would have a dedicated traffic police unit operating in pairs in plain clothes. Their job would be to ride the buses obtaining evidence by video and direct witness of every traffic infraction, dangerous manouver and obvious mechanical issue. The drivers caught would be prosecuted, fined and licence to drive removed. As these idiots realise that there are harsh real world consequences to their driving behaviour roads would become safer for everyone. The crackdown would need to be harsh and for an extended period. Make the position of traffic officer well enough paid to deter corruption.

1 14

The blame game Sunday, 07 September 2025 03:38 PM

Are you suggesting that the "other" drivers are good? All are just as bad.

2 10

Rip Winkle Sunday, 07 September 2025 09:48 AM

Wasn't it concluded that the cause of this accident was mechanical failure? Didn't the driver say the brakes wasn't working before his bus crashed? ... Did the collision with the SUV occur before or after the warning about the brakes? ... By the way, why do some people use the word Jeep to describe an SUV?

28 24

Dr. Dee esquire Sunday, 07 September 2025 03:38 PM

Answering your second question- Sri Lankan people make wired references to vehicles. A very ordinary car is referred to as a ‘luxury’’ vehicle. A crossover without even AWD is called SUV. A proper jeep ’ with 4WD etc is called SUV. The most hilarious is a truck used to carry firewood being called a ‘cab’

4 7

Cassie Sunday, 07 September 2025 10:38 AM

At this point this is all speculation. Investigation is all over the place from brakes and mechanical failure to SUV driver causing the crash. It is so disrespectful to the deceased driver and his grieving family to announce he is being investigated for driving under the influence. At least do it without publicizing it so his loved ones are not ostracized and vilified in their society.

7 31

Lanka Sunday, 07 September 2025 11:07 AM

I cannot understand why the driver keep driving if he knew that broke is already gone ? One theory is that it might have gone in the way when he was driving down and in the middle of the way on deep hill and he could not stop it or he could not do anything about it: he hit that white colour vehicle it may be due to this brake down and it appears he didn’t have any control over the bus: he told this to his assistant but he may have been trying to control the bus as he didn’t have any other option : secondly , if he already knew that broke was faulty before driving he would not checked it up and repaired it is a normally done by any driver : no driver takes risk including his life when they drive : I don’t like to blame the driver in this case because he thought the brake was ok otherwise he wouldn’t have driven the bus in the first place :

7 14

Jan Sunday, 07 September 2025 11:57 AM

The driver is a part system that needs review. Private bus operations should be a highly regulated industry with standards imposed from the mechanical to interior and exterior of buses to training of drivers, conductors, policing etc.

0 19

Lal Sunday, 07 September 2025 12:26 PM

ANY PURPOSE? OWNER OF THE BUS RESPONSIBLE. ?WEEKLY MUST CHECK DRIVER AND CONDUCTOR DRIVING SKILL, VEHICLES RUNNING CONDITIONS,BEHAVIORS,ACTIVITY, RESPONSIBILITY AND FITNESS. ((NOT TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT DUTY THESE ALL. ))

2 15

Disgusted citizen Sunday, 07 September 2025 01:34 PM

On recent trip to Ahangama,a private bus was driving the bus so fast ,I could feel we were in the air,despite shouting to the conductor,he shot back angrily,these are the types who are dominating the main roads and are a danger to society, spot checks should be carried out to curtail this menace, license canceled if found to be guilty

2 14

Lakmal Kahawela Sunday, 07 September 2025 02:13 PM

If the driver knew his bus breaks are failed, he should have put to a lower gear (1st gear) to make the bus moving slowly

2 4

Terrence K Sunday, 07 September 2025 03:42 PM

We see after these rulers came to power there doesn't go a single day where it is not reported of some disaster whether bus or car accidents, killing of people or natural disasters. After one year in governance are the public happy the only thing we could see is that the present day rulers are happy to see politicians going to prison or transferred to the prison hospital. There is something radically wrong or how could we justify these occurrences. Haven't the great religions passed on to generations that revengeful exercises result in counter and forceful reactions. Today we see many flocked to places of worship where it is taught to be patient and even if it surpasses one's patience to continue in patience otherwise the patience adopted is lost. Whilst no one will deny that the law should be applied but in today's context lot of manipulations to implicate those who oppose., Changes in the mindset are necessary to stop this rollercoaster way of Revenge!

0 1

Retired professional Sydney bus driver Sunday, 07 September 2025 04:55 PM

I just toured my Motherland and arrived back to my Fatherland on 4th Sept. I was appalled by the driving habits of most drivers. Stop blaming just one category of drivers (ex. bus drivers). All drivers are engaging in serious misconduct. Drivers are crossing the centre line willy-nilly, tuk-tuk drivers suddenly turn, motor-cyclists are using a mobile phone in one hand and using the other hand to steer the bike, motorists just stop on the road to have a chat with their amba-yahaluva. The list goes on and on. My wife and I used a professional tour company to take us around (Colombo > Habarana > Pasikudah > Ella > Yala > Hikkaduwa > Airport). I was petrified seated in the front passenger seat. In Ella, there were no guard rails to prevent a bus going down a precipice. What's going on? 40 years after leaving SL nothing has improved in this time. All I can see is that people are more and more obsessed with religion. When will Sri Lankans grow up and take ownership of their own future?

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vikram Sunday, 07 September 2025 05:25 PM

all private buses are owned by politicians, thugs, big shots, nothing is going to be done to fix this..more people will die..this is the sad truth. the only time change will come is when there is some sort of sanction against srilanka and tourism starts drying up.

1 1

Saradiel Sunday, 07 September 2025 06:58 PM

Age 25 is too young to drive a bus, specially long distances and worse in upcountry. May be ok for short distances flat roads.

0 2

Michael Sunday, 07 September 2025 08:45 PM

People are not properly trained to drive vehicles in Sri Lanka and top of it the roads are very narrow and too many old vehicles are on the roads without proper tests and 90% of vehicles tyres are below the standards adopted in the western world

0 3

Jude Sunday, 07 September 2025 11:45 PM

The authorities must make it very hard to obtain bus drivers license in SL.

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Judy Monday, 08 September 2025 12:23 AM

We all know The problem starts from DMV driver examiners. They pass anyone that gives them BRIBE. The Authorities should start from there to create competent and qualified bus drivers.

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