September 01, Colombo (LNW): A new regulation aimed at improving passenger safety has officially come into effect from today (01), requiring all individuals travelling on expressway passenger buses in Sri Lanka to wear seat belts throughout their journey.
The measure forms part of a broader initiative to enhance road safety and reduce fatalities on high-speed routes.
Manjula Kularatne, who heads the National Council for Road Safety, confirmed that those who fail to comply with the regulation will face legal consequences. However, he acknowledged that not all long-distance buses are currently equipped with seat belts. To address this, a grace period of three months has been granted, allowing operators time to retrofit older vehicles with the necessary safety equipment.
The legal framework underpinning this move was formally introduced through a gazette notification issued on August 31, signalling a significant shift in transport policy and enforcement.
The regulation has also been linked to a wider government-led effort known as the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme. Speaking just a day prior to the regulation’s enactment, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake described the initiative as a critical element of this national campaign, which seeks not only to promote safer travel but also to instil greater discipline and responsibility among both drivers and passengers.
Addressing the economic implications, Minister Rathnayake drew attention to the recent surge in the cost of seat belts. Once priced at approximately Rs. 2,000, the cost of a single unit now ranges from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 7,000.
He urged the Consumer Affairs Authority to closely monitor the situation to prevent potential profiteering and ensure affordability, particularly for smaller transport operators.
