The requirement for drivers and passengers to wear seat belts when travelling on expressways is already in place, with the grace period given to older vehicles that were not originally fitted with seat belts set to expire on September 19.
From that date, all vehicles using expressways will be required to be fitted with seat belts, and all drivers and passengers will be required to wear them, police said.
Director of Traffic Control and Road Safety, Senior Superintendent of Police Manoj Ranagala, said the rule would be strictly enforced and a fine of Rs. 1,000 could be imposed on anyone travelling without a seat belt.
He said legal provisions are also in place to recover the fine from passengers travelling without seat belts on expressway buses.
National Council for Road Safety Chairman Manjula Kulatne said the grace period given to vehicles without seat belts to have them installed will end on September 19.
The requirement is being implemented under Gazette Extraordinary No. 2455/29 issued on September 25, 2025.
Police said the measure has been introduced to protect lives, noting that deaths resulting from the failure to wear seat belts in road accidents have been increasing. (Newswire)