A bus driver has been remanded in custody on murder charges after driving a passenger bus across a flooded bridge during Cyclone Ditwah, resulting in the deaths of two passengers in north-central Sri Lanka, police said on Wednesday.
The incident occurred as Cyclone Ditwah triggered heavy rainfall and widespread flooding across several parts of the country. Authorities said the bus, carrying 68 passengers including a High Court judge, attempted to cross the overflowing Kala Oya bridge despite police orders and repeated public warnings issued due to dangerous conditions.
The suspect, identified as Dhanushka Kumarasinghe, a resident of Saliyawawa in Balagollagama, was ordered remanded until Jan. 21 by the Nochchiyagama Magistrate’s Court.
Police have filed charges under Sections 296 and 300 of Sri Lanka’s Penal Code, relating to murder and attempted murder — an unusual step in cases arising from road accidents.
An Assistant Superintendent of Police told court that the driver had knowingly endangered the lives of passengers by proceeding across the bridge during cyclone-related flooding, justifying the serious charges.
Lawyers appearing for the suspect argued that there was no intention to cause death or endanger lives, describing the murder charges as excessive. They sought the suspect’s release on bail under strict conditions.
The magistrate rejected the request, ruling that the charges could not be withdrawn at this stage and noting that any bail application must be made before the High Court.
Police said investigations into the incident are continuing. (Newswire)