Invisible Zebra Crossing: Are Pedestrians Being Lured into Traffic?

While accompanying my young grandson to his Abacus class, I was compelled to cross the road directly opposite the Building Materials Corporation (BMC), No. 486, Sri Sangharaja Mawatha, Colombo 10. What should have been a routine and safe pedestrian crossing turned into a terrifying gamble with fast-moving traffic.

 At this location, the zebra crossing exists on one side of the road, but immediately after the centre island it vanishes without warning on the parallel carriageway—as if pedestrians are expected to disappear along with it. This abrupt absence creates a lethal illusion of safety, especially for children, the elderly and unsuspecting pedestrians. Even more disturbing, at another nearby location (No. 555 Sri Sangharaja Mawatha, Colombo 10), one side of the road displays a complete zebra crossing, while the opposite side has only half of it—an incomplete warning in a place where hesitation can cost a life.

These are not cosmetic defects. They are systemic safety failures that turn public roads into silent killing zones. A half-painted or missing zebra crossing is worse than none at all—it misleads, confuses, and exposes pedestrians to extreme danger. This matter is urgently referred to the Traffic Design & Road Safety Department of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) to immediately restore and complete all missing segments of these zebra crossings. Pedestrian safety—especially that of children and senior citizens—cannot be left to chance, negligence, or faded paint.  Has the zebra crossing crossed the Rubicon—beyond the point of no return for pedestrian safety?

 How many close calls must occur before a life is lost?

Mohamed Zahran

Colombo