Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa has warned that sudden accidents remain the leading cause of hospitalizations in Sri Lanka, with over 1.3 million people admitted to hospitals each year and nearly 3 million more seeking medical treatment. 

He noted that one in every seven citizens faces the risk of requiring medical care annually due to accidents, while 6 to 8 individuals are referred for treatment every minute. 

Accidents account for about 8% of total deaths, with the most affected group being those aged 15 to 44, the country’s productive age category, the Health Minister added. 

Speaking at the launch of the 11th National Accident Prevention Week on Monday (06) at the Ministry of Health, Minister Jayatissa emphasized the urgent need for a continuous, integrated programme to minimize preventable accidents and deaths. 

He said the initiative, first introduced in 2016, has become a vital juncture in Sri Lanka’s public health sector, aiming to safeguard lives and the nation’s future.

The programme, jointly operated by the Ministry’s Non‑Communicable Diseases Unit and the National Committee on Prevention of Injuries (NCPI), will run island‑wide from July 06 to 10, 2026. 

Its objectives include raising public awareness, reducing accidents‑related fatalities, and building a safer social environment.

This year’s themes are Road Accident Prevention (July 06), Workplace Accident Prevention (July 07), Accident Prevention in Homes and Elders’ Residences (July 08), Prevention of Drowning (July 09), and Accident Prevention in Schools, Preschools, and Daycare Centers (July 10). (Newswire)

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Two six‑year‑old children lost their lives in separate accidents reported in the Maradankadawala and Hikkaduwa areas on Tuesday (07), while the Police in both divisions have launched investigations into the incidents.

A six‑year‑old boy from Maradankadawala died after falling into an uncovered, water‑filled pit about seven feet deep in the Kollakuttigama area.

According to the Police, the child had gone with his two siblings and several friends near a house under construction to catch parrots when he fell into the pit.

The Maradankadawala Police are conducting further investigations.

Meanwhile, a 06-year-old child was reported dead in an accident involving a head-on collision between a passenger bus travelling towards Galle and a three‑wheeler coming from the opposite direction on the Colombo–Galle main road in Wewala, Hikkaduwa.

The driver of the three‑wheeler, two passengers, two women, and the child were injured and admitted to Arachchikanda Hospital. The six‑year‑old child, a resident of Dikwella, later succumbed to injuries.

The other injured individuals were transferred to Karapitiya Hospital for further treatment. The bus driver has been taken into custody, and the Hikkaduwa Police are continuing investigations. (Newswire/ Image- Accident1st)

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Sri Lanka Police will take action under criminal law in addition to traffic laws against drivers who operate vehicles while intoxicated or in a reckless manner, Deputy Inspector General in charge of Traffic Control and Road Safety W.G.J. Senadheera said on Monday.

Speaking at a media briefing, Senadheera said road accidents have increased this year compared to last year, with drug and alcohol use identified as the primary causes.

He said the Inspector General of Police has instructed officers to pursue criminal charges in cases where drivers are found to have driven dangerously under the influence of alcohol or narcotics, particularly when such actions result in serious accidents or loss of life.

According to police statistics, road accidents have increased by 271 incidents this year compared to the previous year, while fatalities have risen by 317. However, Senadheera noted that the number of serious accidents has shown a slight decline.

“Negligence and lack of attention by drivers are the main reasons behind the increase in accidents,” Senadheera said, adding that daily fatal accident analyses show pedestrians are the most affected group.

He said pedestrians account for about 31% of annual road accident victims, followed by motorcyclists, pillion riders and three-wheeler drivers.

Senadheera urged motorists to act responsibly and warned that driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or with gross negligence will no longer be treated as a minor traffic offence but will also be prosecuted under criminal law.

Police have stepped up enforcement as part of broader efforts to reduce road fatalities and improve road safety across the country. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka has approved a new two-year Road Protection Action Plan aimed at reducing the country’s growing number of road accidents and fatalities.

According to police data, 118,697 road accidents were reported between 2020 and 2024, claiming 12,322 lives. The annual death rate has reached 11.2 per 10,000 people — exceeding the United Nations’ recommended safety limit for the current global action decade (2021–2030).

The plan also addresses safety risks at unprotected railway crossings, which have caused nearly 400 accidents in recent years.

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal submitted by the Acting Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development to launch the Road Protection Action Plan (2025–2026), focusing on improving road infrastructure, enforcing vehicle regulations, and promoting safer road use for all citizens. (Newswire)

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Four more deaths have been reported in three road accidents, according to the Police. 

Two persons, aged 37 and 43 years old, have died in a multi-vehicle collision reported near the Kurunegala North bus depot today. A cab travelling from Dambulla to Kurunegala had collided with a three-wheeler, after which the three-wheeler had collided with a motorcycle. 

The driver of the three-wheeler, a passenger, and the motorcyclist were admitted to the Kurunegala Hospital with injuries, during which the three-wheeler driver and passenger succumbed to injuries. The driver of the cab has been arrested with investigations finding that he had been driving under the influence of alcohol.

Meanwhile, a 45-year-old motorcyclist has died after crashing into a car travelling in the opposite direction on the Galle-Matara main road after losing control of the vehicle.

The motorcyclist, a resident of Matara, who had sustained serious injuries, had been admitted to the Gonnagahahena Hospital and had succumbed to injuries. The Ahangama Police is conducting investigations.

Furthermore, a 72-year-old resident of Ethimale has died after being knocked down by a Jeep on Monday. 

A Jeep travelling towards Ethimale had knocked down the pedestrian, after which he had been admitted to the Ethimale Hospital. He had been transferred to the Monaragala Hospital and had passed away today. 

The driver of the Jeep has been arrested in connection with the accident. The Ethimale Police is conducting investigations. (Newswire)

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Over 80 persons have been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital with injuries sustained from various accidents in the last 24 hours, it was reported.

According to hospital sources, 30 people, among them, have sustained injuries due to road accidents. 

One person has been injured in an accident related to fireworks. 

According to a hospital spokesman, such accidents during the festive season could be prevented if the public acted with more care.

The spokesman further requested the public to refrain from driving under the influence of alcohol. (Newswire)

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Two children were reported dead in separate tragic accidents in the last 24 hours ending at 06.00 am today.

The Police said a 13-year-old boy died after a branch from a tree fell on his head causing serious injuries, in the Godakawela area last evening.

The incident had occurred when the child, along with his father and some other persons had been engaged in cutting down a rotting jackfruit tree in their garden.

Meanwhile, a 10-year-old girl has died in a car accident reported on the Southern Expressway last night. 

The Police said the child was travelling in the car along with her parents and a sibling when the driver had fallen asleep at the wheel crashing into a lorry travelling in front.

The four passengers of the vehicle who had sustained serious injuries in the crash had been admitted to the Karapititya Hospital, during which the 10-year-old daughter had succumbed to injuries. (Newswire)

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Five persons were reported dead in separate road accidents reported within the 24 hours ending at 06.00 am today.

A 68-year-old cyclist has died after being knocked down by a motorcycle in the Amugoda area along the Pitigala- Elpitiya Road last morning. The Pitigala Police is conducting further investigations.

A 34-year-old woman has died, while three persons including two children sustained injuries, when a lorry crashed into a three-wheeler while turning into a by-lane in the Gonapala area along the Colombo- Horana Road yesterday.

The injured have been transferred to the Kalubowila Hospital for further treatment while the driver of the lorry has been arrested in connection to the accident.

A 71-year-old cyclist has died after a lorry crashed into him in the Dodanduwa area along the Colombo – Galle main road last afternoon.

The driver of the lorry has been arrested in connection to the accident, while the Hikkaduwa Police is conducting investigations. 

A 35-year-old motorcyclist has died after a private bus collided head-on with a motorcycle in the Badureliya Police Division last evening.

The driver of the bus has been arrested, while the Badureliya Police is conducting investigations into the accident. 

A 63-year-old pedestrian has died after being knocked down by a van in the Katupotha Police Division last night.

The driver of the van has been arrested in connection to the accident, while the Katupotha Police is conducting investigations. (Newswire)

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A 19-year-old boy was reported dead and four children were injured in two separate accidents reported in the last 24 hours ending at 06.00 am today.

The 19-year-old boy was reported dead in an accident that had occurred in the Kumbukgete area in the North Western Province yesterday.

The Police said two motorcycles had collided head-on in the Kumbukwewa area, resulting in the motorcyclists, two pillion riders, and two children sustaining injuries.

While receiving treatment at the Hiripitiya Hospital, one motorcyclist succumbed to injuries. The deceased has been identified as a resident of Kumbukgete.

Furthermore, two children aged 10 and 04 years have been injured and their 37-year-old mother has died in an accident reported in the Ruwanwella area yesterday. 

The Police said two motorcycles had collided head-on resulting in the woman and her two children sustaining injuries. 

The female motorcyclist had succumbed to injuries, while her 10-year-old child is receiving treatment at the Karawanella Hospital and the 04-year-old child had sustained minor injuries. (Newswire)

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At least 115 school children have been killed in road accidents reported so far this year, the Police Traffic Unit reported. 

Police Traffic Unit Chief ASP Manoj Ranagala told the media on Wednesday (Oct 25) that the deaths were caused due to incidents of reckless driving. 

He pointed out that according to Police data, six persons are killed per day in road accidents in Sri Lanka and that once in four hours one death is reported, 3 seriously injured persons are reported, and four persons are reported with injuries requiring treatment.

Stating that 2363 persons had died in road accidents in 2020, ASP Ranagala said that 2513 persons were reported dead in 2021, and 2515 persons were killed in road accidents in 2022, showing an increase in accidents in the country.

He revealed that 150 deaths have been reported due to road accidents in the period from January 01 to October 15 this year. 

Nearly 10% of the deaths reported consist of school students below the age of 18 years, ASP Ranagala added. (NewsWire)

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Two children have died in separate accidents reported in the Nawalapitiya and Vakarai areas within the last 24 hours ending at 8.00 am today, it was reported.

According to Lankadeepa, a 09-year-old child died after getting strangled in a baby cradle made using a saree in a house in the Montecristo Watte area in Nawalapitiya.

The Police stated that the cradle had been put up for another infant in the house and had been used as a swing by the older child during which she had accidentally gotten strangled.

Meanwhile, a 14-year-old child died after a locally made weapon had accidentally fired in the Kattamuri forest area in Vakarai, Batticaloa.

Police investigations have revealed that the incident had occurred when the child had accompanied his relatives for hunting.

Three persons aged 24, 28, and 32 years have been arrested over the incident. (NewsWire)

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