No chance to meet President to talk about road accidents: Medical Experts

Medical experts stress urgent need for a national policy to prevent road accidents 

Dr. Surantha Perera (left) and Dr Samath Dharmaratne (Right) briefing the media last Friday at the Sri lanka Medical Association. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana 

The Sri Lanka Medical Association has been suggesting to the previous and present governments on the importance of having the main and short-term and long-term national policy in preventing road accidents

The medical experts stated that a total number of 12,140 deaths have been recorded due to road accidents from 2020 to 2024

In 2024 alone, 2243 deaths have occurred. Around 3.7% of our annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is spent annually on solving the issues relating to road accidents

By Manjula D. Phillips

The medical experts attached to the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) insisted yesterday that they have not been given an opportunity to discuss road traffic accidents and safety with the president and they doubted whether their letter requesting a meeting with him has even reached him. (The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) is the professional association for doctors and surgical professionals in Sri Lanka).

“We have been sending letters to all the past presidents, including the present one, to get an opportunity to discuss road accidents and road safety. But other than during the tenure of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, we did not get any chance from any of them. We are doubtful as to whether our letters have been directed to the President or if he ever saw them. Due to our experience with past and present governments, we feel that our governments have no interest in reducing road accidents,” Dr. Samath Dharmaratne, a former President of the SLMA, said at a media briefing yesterday. It was held on the topic of “Road Traffic Accidents: A Preventable Tragedy?” at the council room of SLMA, Colombo 07.

We have been sending letters to all the past presidents, including the present one, to get an opportunity to discuss road accidents and road safety. But other than during the tenure of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, we did not get any chance from any of them.” - Dr. Samath Dharmaratne, a former President of the SLMA

“As the Sri Lanka Medical Association, we have been suggesting to the past and present governments the importance of having the main and short-term and long-term national policy in preventing road accidents. We have several policies, but we are badly in need of a national policy. We have also pointed out the importance of establishing a Presidential Task Force relating to the matter. A commission such as with powers should be implemented in preventing road accidents. A change of the current system should occur. 

“When it comes to preventing road accidents, pedestrians, vehicles, the condition of the roads, drivers and police play vital roles, and these five sections must come together in order to prevent road accidents. I would also like to emphasise two major facts that are not very commonly discussed relating to the topic. Those are fatigue and sleepiness. Drivers should be very serious about fatigue when getting into a vehicle and should decide whether they are capable of driving it safely. When they feel sleepy, they should take a break,” Dr. Surantha Perera, the SLMA President, explained. The medical experts stated that a total number of 12,140 deaths have been recorded due to road accidents from 2020 to 2024. In 2024 alone, 2243 deaths have occurred. Around 3.7% of our annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is spent annually on solving the issues relating to road accidents.

“It is not only the government that should be responsible or blamed when it comes to road accidents. Government officials, starting from the secretary of the ministry, should come forward to analyse the statistics and study the subject in depth and should form a national policy,” Dr. Surantha urged.