Can Sri Lanka stop road deaths?

In Sri Lanka, road accidents remain a grave national concern, claiming around 3,000 lives annually—roughly 9-10 deaths each day. Pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable. Beyond fatalities, accidents cause lasting injuries, property damage, and an economic loss equivalent to nearly 4% of GDP.

- Authors: Chula Goonasekera & Kithsiri Abhayasingha on behalf of the LEADS Forum ([e-mail])

Despite this alarming toll, the response of responsible authorities remains reactive and fragmented. Commonly cited causes—such as fatigue, speeding, poorly maintained vehicles, and weak infrastructure—are often vague and lack rigorous, data-driven analysis. No comprehensive national or regional studies exist, and accident trends expose systemic shortcomings in the Traffic Police and the relevant Ministry, which have failed to implement long-term, evidence-based strategies.

Although a National Council for Road Safety exists, its role is limited. The Council provides little public research, awareness campaigns, or educational content in national languages. In 2022, they reported that pedestrians and motorcyclists accounted for two-thirds of fatalities, yet no meaningful followup studies or interventions to date.

Sri Lanka needs more than trial-and-error measures; it requires an overhaul of its road safety system. Institutions must be independent, research-driven, and accountable, with measurable goals and strong leadership guiding the Traffic Police toward evidence-based solutions. Reforming the National Council for Road Safety is crucial to move beyond rhetoric and ensure meaningful improvements that save lives.

Enhancing Road Discipline

Accidents often occur when road users act unpredictably. Drivers may legally pass through green lights only to encounter pedestrians crossing against the signal, or motorists may overtake without considering oncoming traffic. Collisions are frequently avoided only by last-second braking or swerving.

Road discipline is critical for safety. Education and enforcement must go hand in hand: punishment without awareness is ineffective. Ignorance or disregard of rules inevitably leads to accidents. In Sri Lanka, traffic laws grant priority to the right, yet these rules are routinely ignored—even by police. Roundabouts are often clogged because drivers fail to observe this basic principle.