May 14, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lankan authorities have launched an intensified inspection programme targeting long-distance passenger vehicles, in a bid to stem the alarming rise in serious road accidents involving night-time buses.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Sri Lanka Police, is aimed at curbing dangerous driving practices and enhancing passenger safety following a spate of recent tragedies.
Police officers have been instructed to conduct random night-time checks on highways and major roads, with particular focus on long-haul buses that operate during the late hours.
The directive, issued by the Acting Inspector General of Police, mandates both stationary checkpoints and mobile inspections using police motorcycles.
According to senior police officials, these checks will target a range of violations, including driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics, excessive speeding, reckless overtaking, and other hazardous behaviours that have become increasingly associated with long-distance bus operations.
Vehicles found violating safety regulations will be subject to immediate disciplinary action under prevailing traffic laws.
The crackdown follows a series of devastating incidents in recent days that have left the nation reeling. On Saturday, 10 May, a bus lost control and careened into a ravine in Dayaraba, Welimada, injuring at least 20 passengers.
A far more catastrophic accident occurred the next morning, 11 May, when a private bus travelling from Kataragama to Kurunegala veered off the mountainous road at Gerandi Ella in Kotmale and plunged into a deep precipice, killing 23 people on board.
The tragedy prompted widespread public outcry and renewed scrutiny over the regulation of public transport vehicles.
The carnage continued on Monday (12) when yet another bus crashed in Aladeniya, Kandy, injuring more than 20 passengers. All three incidents involved long-distance buses operating on winding roads in central and southern regions of the island, often during hours when driver fatigue and low visibility heighten the risk of accidents.
In response, law enforcement agencies are coordinating with the National Transport Commission and provincial transport authorities to tighten enforcement and ensure accountability among bus operators.
Passengers have been encouraged to report erratic driving behaviour via designated hotlines, while transport companies have been warned to ensure their drivers comply with mandatory rest periods and safety regulations.
Authorities are also exploring the feasibility of introducing GPS monitoring for commercial buses and expanding the use of dashboard cameras to monitor driver conduct in real time.
The Ministry of Transport is expected to table proposals in the coming weeks aimed at revising safety protocols for long-distance travel, including compulsory health checks for drivers and stricter licensing conditions.
