September 11, Colombo (LNW): Authorities have indicated that the final report into the devastating bus crash near Ella earlier this month is expected to be released shortly, as fresh details emerge about the technical and human failures that contributed to the tragedy.
Speaking to the press, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake shared early findings from the ongoing investigation. According to the Minister, the accident appears to have been triggered by a critical mechanical failure: the bus’s braking system overheated while descending a steep slope, rendering it virtually useless at a crucial moment.
Technical inspections revealed that grease had been leaking into the rear right wheel drum for some time, gradually eroding the integrity of the brakes. Additional signs of excessive heating were observed in other wheel drums as well, suggesting long-standing neglect in vehicle maintenance.
Compounding the mechanical failure was the driver’s lack of familiarity with both the vehicle and the terrain. This was reportedly his first time operating that particular bus, and he was also unfamiliar with the route.
Investigators believe these factors may have significantly impaired his ability to respond to the emergency. Fatigue has also been cited as a contributing element, though further analysis is pending.
The crash occurred on the night of 4 September as a group of Tangalle Municipal Council workers and their families were returning from a recreational trip to Nuwara Eliya. The bus veered off the Ella–Wellawaya main road, resulting in the deaths of 15 passengers and injuries to 17 others. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, prompting the Tangalle Youth Society to organise a religious ceremony in memory of the victims.
In response to the incident, the Road Development Authority has moved swiftly to enhance safety on the Ella–Wellawaya route, installing protective barriers and new warning signage at the accident site.
Minister Rathnayake used the moment to draw attention to broader issues in Sri Lanka’s road safety landscape. He pointed to persistent flaws in driver training systems, citing corruption and low standards in many driving schools across the country. These deficiencies, he warned, have made it increasingly difficult to produce competent, professional drivers.
To tackle these concerns, the government is considering a series of reforms. Among them are electronic monitoring systems for driving schools, greater regulation of training programmes, and the introduction of biometric systems such as fingerprint-based identification to improve accountability during the licensing process.
The Minister also called for a shift in the role of the Department of Motor Traffic—from merely issuing licences to actively ensuring road safety standards are upheld. Proposals are being reviewed to decentralise administrative tasks in order to streamline services and reduce bottlenecks at regional motor vehicle offices.
