Fatal road accidents rise sharply in Sri Lanka

• Police statistics show 1,274 fatal crashes resulting in 1,351 deaths between January 1 and June

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

Sri Lanka has recorded a sharp rise in fatal road accidents in the first half of 2025, with police statistics showing 1,274 fatal crashes resulting in 1,351 deaths between January 1 and June.  

This represents an increase of 108 fatal accidents and 129 additional deaths compared to the same period in 2024, when 1,166 fatal crashes led to 1,222 deaths.  

In addition to fatal accidents, the first six months of 2025 also saw over 2,600 serious accidents, 4,642 minor accidents, and 2,018 property-damages.  

The most fatal accident this year occurred in May, when a passenger bus veered off the road and plunged down a precipice at Gerandi Ella in Ramboda, along the Nuwara Eliya–Gampola main road.   

The tragedy claimed 22 lives and left more than 30 people injured.  

Following the Ramboda crash, authorities appointed a committee to investigate the causes of the accident. Based on its findings, Police Headquarters ordered disciplinary action against all Police OICs and Traffic OICs who fail to identify and mitigate accident-prone areas in their jurisdictions.   

The Acting Inspector General of Police has issued the necessary instructions and stressed that officers in all 607 police divisions must coordinate with the Road Development Authority (RDA) and local authorities to improve road safety.   

Police Headquarters warned that further disciplinary measures will be taken in divisions where similar serious accidents recur.  

Meanwhile, Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya said that there are currently 779 high-risk locations identified along Sri Lanka’s road network.   

Police said that recommendations to address these hazards have already been submitted to the RDA in an effort to reduce future tragedies.