The deadly Ella–Wellawaya bus accident has revived haunting memories of a near-identical tragedy that struck the same treacherous road 23 years ago, exposing Sri Lanka’s recurring transport nightmare.
The fatal bus accident that occurred last night on the Ella–Wellawaya main road has drawn chilling parallels to a devastating crash that took place at the same location 23 years earlier.
According to official records, in September 2002, a bus fell into a deep precipice at the 24th milepost, killing 21 passengers. Disturbingly, the 2002 accident happened on the very same day and nearly at the same time as this year’s deadly crash.
Both tragedies involved buses plunging into a precipice. In the latest incident, however, the bus carrying Tangalle Municipal Council employees was first struck by an oncoming jeep before careening off the road into the 1,000-foot drop.
These horrific parallels highlight how deadly bus accidents have become a recurring national tragedy in Sri Lanka. In May this year, 21 people were killed when a bus travelling from Kataragama to Kurunegala crashed. Similarly, in March 2021, 13 passengers and a driver lost their lives when a bus plunged into a precipice in Passara, within the same district where last night’s accident occurred.
Despite decades of warnings, Sri Lanka continues to face deadly accidents on dangerous roads, often caused by reckless driving, poor maintenance, and lack of safety enforcement. As grieving families gather once again, the Ella–Wellawaya bus disaster serves as yet another reminder that urgent action is needed to prevent history from repeating itself.
