December 15, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with the Road Development Authority and the Ministry’s Digital Task Force, has introduced a new online platform designed to help the public report road-related problems across the country.
Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake said the website, road-lk.org, was created to fill a long-standing gap in real-time information on road closures, damage, accidents and ongoing repairs. He noted that while navigation apps are widely used, they rarely provide structured or verified updates on road conditions, a challenge faced not only in Sri Lanka but elsewhere as well.
The initiative gained urgency following extensive road damage caused by recent disasters, though the Minister stressed that the system is intended to function as a long-term public service even under normal circumstances.
The platform relies heavily on citizen participation. Road users can submit reports through the site’s reporting portal in Sinhala, Tamil or English, and are encouraged to attach photographs to support their submissions. Once received, reports will be reviewed by RDA officials before being reflected on a national road map. Provincial road development authorities have also been authorised to update information directly.
Rathnayake emphasised that public input will be the backbone of the system, particularly given the country’s large population and extensive road network. He said there are plans to later allow traffic police officers and divisional secretaries to log issues directly, and to gradually expand coverage to include rural roads once the platform is fully established for national and provincial routes.
Currently operating as a pilot project for several weeks, the portal is expected to be formalised thereafter. The Minister urged motorists and commuters to make active use of the system, describing public engagement as essential to keeping the information accurate and up to date.
