Repaint the crossings before lives are lost

Pedestrian crossings are not decorative road markings — they are critical safety features designed to protect human lives. Yet, across Colombo, several pedestrian crossings remain without clearly visible zebra stripes, particularly pelican crossings with traffic signals. 

Upon inquiring from the City Traffic Police Station at Mihindu Mawatha, Colombo 11 (Pettah), I was informed that pelican crossings — those operated by pedestrian push-button traffic signals — are not marked with zebra stripes, while conventional crossings are. While this may be the technical explanation, the ground reality tells a different and far more concerning story. A significant number of these push-button pedestrian signals are currently non-functional. In the absence of operational signals and without visible zebra markings, pedestrians are left vulnerable and exposed to fast-moving traffic.

Recently I experienced this risk firsthand at Kollupitiya. With vehicles travelling at excessive speed and the push-button system not functioning, I was compelled to literally sprint across the road to avoid danger. Such situations are unacceptable in a city striving for modern traffic management and public safety.

Clear zebra stripes serve as an immediate visual warning to motorists and provide pedestrians with a designated right of way. Their absence, particularly where signal systems are unreliable, compromises road safety for pedestrians as well as drivers and riders.

I request the Traffic Design and Road Safety Department of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) and the Traffic Management and Road Safety Division of the Sri Lanka Police to immediately repaint and restore all missing zebra stripes at pedestrian crossings, including pelican crossings, before an avoidable tragedy occurs. 

Public safety must never be conditional upon whether a signal is functioning.

Mohamed Zahran

Colombo