At least five people were killed in a series of separate road accidents reported from several parts of Sri Lanka, with the majority of fatalities involving motorcycles, according to police.
A 19-year-old motorcyclist was killed on February 2 after his motorcycle collided with a private bus on the Colombo–Kandy main road near the Narampitigoda junction in the Mawanella police area. Police said the motorcycle, travelling towards Colombo, crashed into a bus coming from the opposite direction. The rider succumbed to injuries upon admission to the Mawanella Hospital. The bus driver has been arrested, and investigations are ongoing.
In another fatal motorcycle accident, a 22-year-old man died in the early hours of February 3 in the Sigiriya police area. Police said the rider lost control of his motorcycle on the Dambulla–Habarana road in the Inamaluwa area and veered off the road before crashing into an electricity pole. He was pronounced dead on admission to the Dambulla Hospital. Preliminary investigations indicate excessive speed and reckless riding as the cause of the accident.
Meanwhile, a 25-year-old motorcyclist was killed on February 2 following a collision with a three-wheeler on the Wariyapola–Halawatha road in the Bandarakoswatta area, within the Wariyapola police division. The motorcyclist died while receiving treatment at the Wariyapola Hospital. The three-wheeler driver has been taken into custody.
Another fatal incident involving a motorcycle was reported from the Mihintale police area, where a 65-year-old woman pedestrian was killed after being struck by a motorcycle on the Puttalam–Trincomalee road near the Matale junction on February 2. The pedestrian and a female pillion rider were injured and admitted to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, where the pedestrian later died. The body has been placed at the hospital morgue.
Separately, a 20-year-old woman was killed on the Ratnapura–Panadura road in the Munasinghapura area under the Kiriella police area when a three-wheeler lost control and collided with a fuel bowser. Police said the victim was thrown out of the three-wheeler and run over by the bowser, dying at the scene. Three others, including the three-wheeler driver, were injured and admitted to the Ratnapura Teaching Hospital. The bowser driver has been arrested.
In another incident, a 62-year-old woman cycling along the Kankesanthurai–Point Pedro road near the Uranai junction was killed after being struck by an army truck on February 2 in the Palaly police area. She died after being admitted to the Tellippalai Hospital. The truck driver has been taken into custody.
Police said investigations are continuing into all incidents, while once again urging motorists, particularly motorcyclists, to exercise maximum caution on the roads amid a rise in fatal accidents involving two-wheelers. (Newswire)