Transport Minister Bimal Ratnayake has stressed that vehicle owners cannot disregard road safety laws on the grounds that their vehicles and fuel are private property, emphasizing that all motorists are required to comply with regulations when using public roads.
Speaking at an event, Ratnayake said vehicle owners could make decisions concerning their vehicles while on private property, but such freedom did not extend to public roads, where motorists have a responsibility to protect the safety of other road users.
He said road accidents affect not only those directly involved but also require the intervention of medical personnel, police officers and other public officials.
The Minister emphasized the importance of conducting detailed investigations into road accidents to identify their underlying causes instead of treating each incident as an isolated event. He said he had reviewed accident reports, discussed incidents with police officers and medical professionals, and examined reports prepared by motor vehicle examiners to understand the factors behind fatal crashes.
According to Ratnayake, investigations into several major bus accidents that resulted in significant loss of life had uncovered serious mechanical defects in the vehicles involved. These findings, he said, had led the Government to introduce additional roadworthiness requirements for passenger transport vehicles.
Under the new requirements, passenger transport vehicles that travel more than 5,000 kilometres, including those used for trips and pilgrimages, will be required to undergo periodic roadworthiness inspections and obtain certification.
The Minister said such inspections would be conducted every three months to ensure that vehicles used to transport passengers remain mechanically fit and safe for operation.
He also said properly registered and accredited garages would be brought into the certification process, which would provide opportunities for qualified technicians while helping to strengthen vehicle safety standards.
Police officers will be authorized to inspect the relevant certificates and take legal action against operators who fail to comply with the requirements, Ratnayake said.
Meanwhile, the Minister revealed that Cabinet approval had been granted for new specifications governing buses imported into Sri Lanka following extensive discussions and technical assessments.
He said a significant number of buses currently operating in the country do not meet the safety standards expected of vehicles specifically designed for passenger transportation.
Under the new specifications, only buses that meet the approved passenger safety requirements will be permitted to be imported. Vehicles primarily designed for transporting goods will no longer be allowed to enter the country for conversion or use as passenger buses, he added.
Ratnayake urged authorities and relevant organizations to conduct thorough assessments of road accidents and use the findings to introduce practical measures to improve road safety, noting that even relatively low-cost interventions could help prevent future accidents.