Colombo, April 4 — In a stark warning to the public, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Indika Hapugoda, Head of the Traffic Division, revealed that road accidents have reached an alarming frequency in Sri Lanka, claiming an average of seven to eight lives each day. Speaking at a media briefing held in Colombo, DIG Hapugoda described the crisis as a “daily tragedy,” noting that hundreds of lives are being lost due to preventable incidents on the road.
According to police data, 565 fatal road accidents were reported between January and March this year, resulting in the deaths of 592 individuals. DIG Hapugoda stressed the urgency of addressing this issue ahead of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season, a period when road traffic tends to increase significantly. He urged the public and authorities alike to pay serious attention to road safety measures in order to curb the rising number of fatalities.
Highlighting the human cost behind the statistics, DIG Hapugoda said that every day, seven to eight people who leave their homes for daily activities such as work or errands never return, having lost their lives in road crashes. This grim reality, he emphasized, should serve as a wake-up call for the nation.
The growing number of vehicles in the country has also contributed to the increase in accidents. As of December 2024, Sri Lanka had 8,454,513 registered vehicles, according to the Department of Motor Traffic. Among them, motorcycles account for the majority, with approximately 4.92 million on the roads. The second most common vehicle type is three-wheelers, with around 1.185 million registered across the country.
DIG Hapugoda pointed out that motorcycles and three-wheelers together represent 72 percent of all registered vehicles and are also responsible for the majority of traffic-related fatalities. Their high numbers and inherent vulnerability make them central to the challenge of improving road safety.
Historical data further illustrates the troubling trend. In 2023, Sri Lanka recorded 2,231 fatal accidents resulting in 2,341 deaths. In 2024, the numbers rose to 2,403 fatal accidents and 2,521 deaths, reflecting a clear and dangerous upward trajectory.
DIG Hapugoda concluded by calling for responsible driving, stricter enforcement, and increased public awareness, particularly during upcoming festive seasons, to prevent further unnecessary loss of life on Sri Lankan roads.
