Over 7,000 cases of drunk driving were recorded in the past year, illustrating the scale of the challenge and the need for enhanced enforcement measures, police added.
The Sri Lankan Police have stepped up measures to combat drunk and drugged driving with the deployment of mobile laboratories across the country, officials said yesterday.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) W. P. J. Senadheera, who heads the Traffic Control and Road Safety Directorate, revealed that the National Institute of Medical Sciences’ mobile lab is now actively testing drivers for alcohol and four drugs—heroin, cannabis, babul, and ice. Operations have been expanded with a medical mobile vehicle to reach more areas.
“The law will be strictly enforced against drug and drunk drivers,” DIG Senadheera said, highlighting that the government has approved specialized drug-testing equipment, with acquisition processes already underway.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to curb road accidents linked to substance abuse, officials said. Authorities urged drivers to prioritize safety: “If you choose to drink, that is your right. But do not drive after consuming alcohol. Use a sober driver, hire a taxi, or arrange alternative transport,” Senadheera advised.
The introduction of mobile labs marks a significant step in modernizing road safety enforcement and ensuring that offenders can be detected and penalized more efficiently.
