The tragic bus accident involving students from General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) continues to claim lives, with another student succumbing to injuries today (23), raising the death toll to three. The deceased has been identified as 24-year-old Kailanathan Sinthujan, a resident of Kantharmadam, Jaffna.
Sinthujan, who had been receiving critical care at the University Hospital since the accident on November 01, passed away after battling severe injuries for weeks. A former student of Jaffna Hindu College, he had excelled in the Physics (Mathematics) stream during his Advanced Level examinations.
The fatal accident occurred on Dunhinda Road in Badulla while the students were on a field trip. The bus, carrying over 40 passengers, overturned near the third and fourth-kilometer markers on the Mahiyanganaya main road. The crash took place at around 7:45 am, leaving 39 individuals injured, some critically.
Two female students of KDU’s Southern Campus were pronounced dead at the scene. Post-mortem examinations revealed that both victims, aged 23, died from severe head injuries caused by the overturning bus. Their deaths marked a heartbreaking start to what has now become a prolonged tragedy.
Subsequent investigations revealed a shocking history of negligence and misconduct by the bus driver, a resident of Dammala, Udugama. It was uncovered that the driver had previously been arrested for drunk driving and had his license suspended for five months. Following the suspension, he falsely reported his license as lost to the Hiniduma Police and secured a replacement, enabling him to resume driving.
On November 05, the Galle Additional Magistrate, Lakmini Vidanagamage, ordered the confiscation of the driver’s current license and remanded him, citing gross negligence. The revelations have sparked outrage, with calls for stricter vetting processes and penalties for public transport drivers to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The accident has left families and friends of the victims devastated. Sinthujan’s passing has added to the growing calls for accountability. The tragedy has also reignited discussions about public transport safety standards and the enforcement of traffic laws in Sri Lanka.
Kotelawala Defence University has expressed condolences to the families of the victims and pledged to support those injured. Meanwhile, the government faces mounting pressure to strengthen road safety regulations, improve driver accountability, and implement rigorous checks for those operating public transportation vehicles.
The incident underscores the pressing need for reforms to prevent similar tragedies from occurring and to ensure that public transport remains a safe option for all Sri Lankans.
