At least five people were killed in a series of separate road accidents involving motorcycles and other vehicles across Sri Lanka on Thursday, police said.
In the northern town of Palai, a 64-year-old woman was killed when a tipper truck collided with a motorcycle while attempting to overtake it. The motorcyclist and the woman, who was travelling as a passenger, were admitted to the Palai Hospital, where the woman later died of her injuries. The tipper truck driver has been arrested, and investigations are ongoing.
In another incident in Wariyapola, a pedestrian died after being struck by a car along the Padeniya–Anuradhapura road in the Ebawalapitiya area. The victim was admitted to the Wariyapola Hospital but succumbed to injuries. The identity of the deceased has not yet been confirmed. The car driver has been taken into custody.
Meanwhile, in Padukka, a 16-year-old boy died after losing control of his motorcycle and colliding with an oncoming car in the Galagedara area. He was admitted to the Padukka Hospital but later died of injuries. Police said investigations are continuing.
In Bulathsinhala, an 18-year-old motorcyclist was killed after his bike skidded while attempting to overtake another motorcycle and crashed into an oncoming van near Diyaparella Junction on the Horana–Bulathsinhala road. The van driver has been arrested, police said.
Another fatal accident was reported from Egodauyana, where a 19-year-old motorcyclist died after crashing into a three-wheeler that was turning right near the Modara roundabout. The three-wheeler driver has been taken into custody for further investigations.
Police urged motorists and riders to exercise caution on the roads, noting that reckless driving, speeding, and unsafe overtaking remain key causes of fatal road accidents in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)