Millions spent, lives still lost on the road

 Hit-and-run support fails to reach most victims  

Audit reveals road safety efforts not working

Rs. 64 Million spent, no drop in road accidents

An audit report on the National Council for Road Safety (NCRS) has revealed that although 1,169 hit-and-run accidents were reported in Sri Lanka over the past five years, only 247 compensation applications were submitted during that period.  The report revealed that a lack of public awareness about the available compensation scheme has left many affected victims and families without financial support, despite being eligible.  

In response, the Council said that while financial assistance is offered in such cases, not all victims are aware or choose to apply.   

The NCRS said that police stations have been instructed to inform the public and added that new awareness programs will be carried out this year. The audit recommended immediate action to improve public communication about the scheme. Under the current compensation scheme, Rs. 250,000 is provided in the event of death and Rs. 150,000 for critically injured victims, when the vehicle involved cannot be identified. Eligible applicants must submit their claims within six months, along with police and medical documentation, certified by the Divisional Secretary, and forwarded to the NCRS in Colombo.  

Meanwhile, the audit also has revealed that despite the implementation of road safety programs and significant spending, Sri Lanka has not seen a reduction in road accidents.  

According to statistics, 116,167 road accidents occurred over the last five years, resulting in approximately 12,149 deaths. During the past three years alone, the Council has spent Rs. 64.5 million on road safety management programs; however, the audit found no measurable decline in accidents or fatalities during that period.  This raises concerns about the effectiveness and reach of the Council’s safety initiatives.  

In response, the Council said that multiple government and non-governmental agencies are involved in road safety efforts and that numerous external factors contribute to the rising number of accidents. 

The NCRS also noted that it is not empowered to regulate or enforce road safety standards across these agencies. Nevertheless, the Council said that it will design and implement more practical and coordinated programs to achieve long-term safety improvements.  

The audit recommends that road safety programmes should be carried out island-wide, with priority attention given to areas and communities most in need.