Update: At least 21 dead, dozens injured in Ramboda bus accident

11 May 2025 01:30 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 54 Bookmark

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At least 21 people have died after a Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus plunged into a precipice in the Garandiella area of Ramboda on the Nuwara Eliya–Gampola main road this morning (May 11).

According to police, more than 35 passengers were injured in the crash and are being rushed to hospital for treatment.

The bus was reportedly en route from Kataragama to Kurunegala via Nuwara Eliya at the time of the accident.

Comments - 54

M Fernando Sunday, 11 May 2025 08:31 AM

This is totally the fault of SLPP and RW for bringing buses.

128 7

Dr Sajith Supporter Sunday, 11 May 2025 11:15 AM

I agree with your comment celebrating this tragic incident bringing politics in, Dr Pacha Tissa.

1 67

Driver Sunday, 11 May 2025 11:50 AM

THINK AND REMEMBER POLITICS AND DRIVING NOT INTER CONNECTED. TRAFFIC POLICE MUST TAKE ACTION FOR DRIVERS AND BUS OWNERS. 1976 1980 CTB BUSES 100% ROAD WORTHY CONDITIONS ONLY DRIVERS DRIVEN V

1 21

Zarook Monday, 12 May 2025 01:56 PM

What happened to system change promised by Pacha Kumara and Yoda Pachini?

0 3

Dr Tissa Fernando Sunday, 11 May 2025 03:47 PM

Who is this Dr Sajith Spporter? His comments are similar to the character of the politician he supports .

30 7

Dr Sajith Supporter Sunday, 11 May 2025 04:33 PM

I agree with you, Dr Pacha Tissa.

0 10

Zarook Thursday, 15 May 2025 06:23 AM

CEAT tyres is the common factor in most of these accidents. CEAT tyres are not designed for wet conditions and high speed.

0 1

Rip Winkle Sunday, 11 May 2025 08:45 AM

A result of reckless driving, no doubt. When is something concrete going to be done about this problem?

1 72

Amaran Sunday, 11 May 2025 02:19 PM

Also drivers under the influence of alcohol

1 16

George Soro Sunday, 11 May 2025 04:38 PM

And they take drugs and drive reckless, the kings of the road. Police checks scooters, motorcycles and 3 wheelers but no bus is checked. Why? Because they are protected by some rich people, most probably by a very rich family and everyone knows who it is, but nobody does anything, what a shame. The country will have less and less tourists if nothing changes.

0 3

Spartacus Sunday, 11 May 2025 09:05 AM

Nice and we all should be happy who are reading the news because it is not one of us. That is the Sri Lankan culture in us. Despite so many accidents and deaths, why isn't any single piece of logical discipline bought into the system? The indiscipline, uneducation, abusive arrogant driving continues in the Public Driving Sector from three wheeler drivers to bus drivers. All have Political connections. Even though all voted for this change, that change has not happened up to now. Issues like this do not require investment, financing, IMF, FDI or Capital to control. This only requires a disciplined law and order system, extra punishment towards drivers who engage in Public Transport and continuous duty by all government bodies specially the Traffic Police and Transport Commission.

1 72

S P Sunday, 11 May 2025 12:40 PM

In any other country these are national disasters. Each and every incident is thoroughly investigated, root cause determined and precautionary action is legislated to prevent recurrence. But here they are reported with all emotions and then forgotten. No publication of investigation reports, no recommendations, no nothing. Have we ever found any root cause or taken action to prevent recurrence on so many accidents happening now even on a daily basis with choppers, buses, vans and cars. No never. We are a very unfortunate nation. Never learn, never correct the wrongs and never take action. Only talk, talk and talk yet no concrete action!

7 18

Gema Sunday, 11 May 2025 01:58 PM

As far as trade union strike for any actions taken against the bus drivers nothing can happen, there should be also rules politicians should not have any connections to bus owning or trade union. The people power should over power the union power in this country, this is the only way to getting the things corrected in this country.

1 7

D P P Prasad Sunday, 11 May 2025 09:31 AM

Most of the road accidents are occurring due to the negligence of the drivers. The long distance buses are more prone to the tragic accidents than short distance buses. Some times long distance bus drivers are driving more than 4 to 5 hours continuously sometimes half way they stop the buses for a short interval. The restless driving may also affect these tragic accidents. If there is a possibility the top management of the SLTB should take steps to employ two drivers for each buses that are plying long distance more than 500 km per day so as to eliminate these serious accidents

0 55

liyanage Sunday, 11 May 2025 11:37 AM

yes can remember 60 s 70s in long distance buses drivers changed at designated bud depots

0 36

Will the management take care of these good drivers? Sunday, 11 May 2025 05:27 PM

All drivers are human beings. They have limitations. Non stop driving for hours leads to fatigue. A short tea break on the way is not a solution at all. Intense concentration leads to more fatigue. Driving hours should be restricted according to scientific study. I remember a CTB bus driver who started at Trinco at midnight came driving until the Municipal limits of Kurunegala. At that point he was fatigued, he told passengers of his difficulty. Everyone in the bus told him to take a rest and he slept for half an hour, while all passengers were relaxing outside. He was supposed to reach Colombo at 8 a.m. and he was fully refreshed after the break. He made it in good time. Accident averted. Will the management take care of these good drivers?

0 0

Sanjeewa Sunday, 11 May 2025 04:24 PM

As all said very correctly. To establish law and order of this country, even existing acts are enough. If the citizens of this country have given a 2/3 majority to this government to do the right thing. Not for political gain like previous governments. Please take some serious actions against public transport, including long-distance buses. Stop one driver from driving for long hours in public transport. Look at successful actions that have been taken in developed countries. Don't play with innocent citizens of this country. Government, pls look into this.

0 0

N B Willamune Sunday, 11 May 2025 09:53 AM

One factor common to lots of carnage involving buses is that , they are made of lorry chassis too big for the roads in some areas, these are death traps, small unmaintained roads undisciplined young drivers racing with each other,unaccountable bus Mudalalies all contribute to this. the government needs to act

1 37

Nihal S Sunday, 11 May 2025 10:01 AM

Where are the road rules in our country to save people from these preventable accidents? This must be a result of careless driving or non road-worthy vehicle being on the road. Clean Sri Lanka?

5 21

Lion Sunday, 11 May 2025 10:15 AM

Now ,opposition including its leader will say that the government is not maintaining the buses properly. With regard to the helicopter crash they attribute the same

14 21

Arun Jayathilaka Sunday, 11 May 2025 10:51 AM

Do we need traffic police in Sri Lanka ? Sack the whole lot because they are good for nothing. Start with the DIG in charge of traffic police. Completely useless.

1 36

Jega Sunday, 11 May 2025 10:56 AM

We can see several SLTB driving reckless. Government should put hands on their own service before private buses.

0 20

Iwazaru Sunday, 11 May 2025 11:01 AM

The Ministry of Transport and the Minister in charge of the police must resign. The traffic police is very lethargic and inefficient and ineffective.

2 29

BanduXX Sunday, 11 May 2025 11:21 AM

And how many times have ministers resigned for lapses in ones ministry over last few decades ?? Even the Easter bombing where over 260 lives lost, none moved their butts.

1 22

Banda Sunday, 11 May 2025 11:30 AM

Absolutely a land of individuals that are insane or crazy. Road accidents now claim many more lives than they did during the war. But nobody is doing anything about it. People who are not well-trained are nonetheless being granted licenses to murder others. Reading these news stories every day makes me wonder whether I'm crazy.

0 27

Rajan Ponnampalam Soundareswaran Sunday, 11 May 2025 12:03 PM

Like Mr. Liyanage mentioned above like in 1960s / 70s either drivers must be changed or speed limits must be reduced and monitored by modern CCTV cameras and legal action must be taken.

0 11

Redflame Sunday, 11 May 2025 12:23 PM

This bus has departed Kataragama at 1000pm heading to Kurunegala. Driver might have fallen asleep or tired on this hectic drive in the night with upcountry challenging roads. Shouldn't have such long exhausted routes at night.

1 13

RanjithT Sunday, 11 May 2025 12:34 PM

As one other commentator noted in the good old days drivers change on long distance busses after 5 to 6 hours. New crew takes over. It even happened in around Colombo that shift change takes place during mid journey. Let's hope that this discipline will be reintroduced before the next tragedy happens.. Speedy recovery for the injured and sympathies to the families and friends of the dead.

1 8

Lanka Sunday, 11 May 2025 12:49 PM

Dear NPP government Please re-structure our Transport system entirely from giving license to age of all drivers: 1) please put some strict rules to giving all licenses 2) please do medical check for all drivers very three years 3) please make sure regulars checks are done all vehicles 4) please appoint honest traffic officers nation wides 5) please make sure all drives fellow road rules and regulations 6) please replace old CTB bus with new ones and 7 ) ask drivers of all long journeys to take rests and breaks and have two drivers for all journeys make a law 8) make sure to maintain Road safety by keeping aways all obstacles on the road and some trees branches and stones are ok precarious situations: 9) please create some awareness classes and appoint team of good drivers instructors with government approval to teach old and new drivers all the skills they need 10) impose heavy penalties who breaks road laws It is easy to write this but it is upto policy makers to decide.

1 13

Mohan lal Sunday, 11 May 2025 04:12 PM

Great! appreciate your suggestions. № 2) Once a month undergo urine drug test at MOH. ( to detect Marijuana (THC), Cocaine, Opiates, Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, Benzos (BZO), Ecstasy ) one kit cost ~7$. # Maximum speed limit for heavy vehicles < 60km/h.

0 2

Nanthana Sunday, 11 May 2025 01:18 PM

There should be traffic police round the clock with speed cameras to detect errant drivers.

1 4

Red Stars Sunday, 11 May 2025 01:50 PM

Clean Sri Lanka should have started with road discipline but instead they concentrated in clearing garbage as a political show

3 8

Yoga Sunday, 11 May 2025 02:15 PM

Must first check whether the cause is due to a mechanical failure. If so, it means the buses are not well maintained. In that case, Depot manager upto the Transport Minister must take the full responsibility.

13 3

Das Sunday, 11 May 2025 02:20 PM

What happened to the action taken by Police to discipline buses few months back, did authorities drop the idea for the voice of Private Bus operators.

2 6

Aussie Driver Sunday, 11 May 2025 02:23 PM

From experience in Australia - It certainly looks like an accident caused due to fatigue and complacency. Kataragama to Kurunegala, just one driver, this is not acceptable. Maximum duration of driving should be two hours then get out the bus to stretch legs for minimum 15 minutes. Maximum driving hours per day should be carefully legislated. Might have started the journey early morning (about 4 am ?:), so the driver would have been awake from about 3 am, then driving all the way to Kurunegala without any legal restrictions !! Are we living in stone age? Please those higher shots of Transport Authority should seriously look at the incidents happened and make risk mitigation actions to save lives, also awareness and road safety campaign, driving in highways awareness etc etc , If not the road carnage will continue to happen.

5 11

Mahila Monday, 12 May 2025 05:23 AM

Apparently, the Journey commenced at 10 PM from Kataragama - sounds right 4 to 4.5 hours to Nuwara Eliya!!?? They should have had a SPARE DRIVER in the bus resting to Commence the Journey from NE to Kurunegala - approximately another 3.5 to 4 hours - considering that there would have been Mist and wet roads!!?? Not rocket science!!?? Mudalali hired a virtual 'Mee-Haraka' to do the job instead of talent with ability to think and act!! “Profit Motive of Mudalali and Existential Exigency of the driver”, superseded over Love

0 2

Lk Sunday, 11 May 2025 02:33 PM

This will be one of worst accidents in Sri Lankan history and we expect more from the transport ministry and they all should reform our transport system: Please do it before we see more of this :

0 7

Lord Kent Sunday, 11 May 2025 02:54 PM

why are you using my taxes. Fine the bus companies until they learn to be more careful

0 4

S Dilhara Sunday, 11 May 2025 02:56 PM

All the fault is with the Police!!! No law and order! No one adheres to traffic rules! Police are just looking the other way and taking bribes! Unprecedented number of road deaths and murders. IGP what are you doing???? Absolutely nothing!!!! High time you ensured law and order in this country Mr President!!!

0 12

Dr Tissa Fernando Sunday, 11 May 2025 03:45 PM

Everyday more and more bus accidents from both private and SL CTB. The No Plan Pacha Party big talk Transport minister Bimal Rathnayake shouts in the Parliament to protect child sexual abusers. He has slso given full licence to kill to his SLCTB drivers.he should resign because he is not capable in doing anything.

32 5

Pusa Sunday, 11 May 2025 04:08 PM

Sadly no change will come out of this tragedy because the NpP monkeys are too ineffective even after the population gave them a huge mandate! And next week, no one will be talking about this !

10 0

Ranjith Sunday, 11 May 2025 04:09 PM

I don't want to write stories, please put an end to it. It has gone too far action has not being taken. When we get into a public transport bus we are not sure we will reach the destination situation is so bad.During war time we had a similar experience, we were not sure till we see our parents reaching home.

0 0

Senior Sunday, 11 May 2025 04:13 PM

Traffic police must follow the buses atleast one hour behind them with civil dress and watch them they driving skill , pax pickup/drops, over taking ect.

0 0

Voter Sunday, 11 May 2025 04:40 PM

It’s very sad to see ppl just get killed by reckless drivers. It’s high time the cops pull up there socks n do the job for the ppl who are actually paying them through taxes. Last week I saw an old lady fall off the footboard while trying to get off the Mathara Colombo bus in front of Kaluthara courts and the worst part was there were two cops on a Motobike who witnessed this incident. And one of these cops was signaling the bus to go and so the bus went without stopping and the cops rode the bike as if nothing happened. Very disappointing behavior by the cops

0 0

Nairobi to Mombasa by bus Sunday, 11 May 2025 05:05 PM

Try once you may like it

9 0

navaratna bandara willamune Sunday, 11 May 2025 06:02 PM

Greedy capitalism at work,making hefty profits is the primary concern of the owners, passengers are at the bottom of the list or non-existent.not sure weather the vehicles are properly insured.traffic cops smartly dressed, but not doing their job want stop and check buses incorectly thinking they are inconveniencing the passengers etc etc

0 0

Ylg Sunday, 11 May 2025 07:23 PM

I am repeatedly saying public bus drivers who are responsible for passengers must have at least a diploma for a drivers license. These drivers are chaps from the street.

0 0

Victim Sunday, 11 May 2025 07:55 PM

MUJI BURRAH MAN TOMORROW WILL START NEW CHAPTER

5 0

james Sunday, 11 May 2025 08:13 PM

Ever since NPP came to power, entire country has been covered in a bad mojo. All you hear is loss of life every few days

8 0

Citizen Sunday, 11 May 2025 09:07 PM

How can there be over 70 people travelling in a bus with their bags ? Who is at fault ?

0 0

Mahila Monday, 12 May 2025 01:15 PM

59 11 Standing all the way!!?? Especially a TRUCK Chassis converted to BUS to transport Pilgrims!!?? Remember this is glorious Siri (cherubic - all smiles all-the-way with no whimper of a complaint) COMPLIANT LANKANS – None else!?

0 0

Ylg Sunday, 11 May 2025 09:33 PM

Cops are to blame. They ignore buses driving like lunatics. They give cars tickets but are afraid of the buses.

0 0

wickrama Wijayasiri Sunday, 11 May 2025 10:02 PM

Although it will cost a lot of money which we do not have, Guardrails are essential safety features alongside unprotected slopes on most of our roads. Concrete New Jersey barriers are the most suitable as they could not be stolen. Besides the pedestrians could use the roads with better confidence.

0 0

FredSnR Monday, 12 May 2025 07:55 AM

Treat this like a national disaster no one is safe on Sri Lankan roads, that includes tourists, get back to basics, start with driving licenses, road rules, police checks spot fines have traffic police everywhere treat it like a war situation until problem is solved numbers dying, accidents on roads, reaching alarming levels

0 0

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