Minister of Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake has revealed that nearly 60 per cent of passenger transport drivers operating in Colombo and its suburbs are severely addicted to drugs.
Addressing a public meeting in Kandy, the Minister said road safety has become a critical national issue, citing alarming accident statistics for 2025. He noted that around 2,700 people lost their lives in road accidents last year, with drivers responsible for nearly half of those fatalities.
According to the Minister, mobile drug-testing operations conducted so far have found that 16 per cent of inspected drivers were under the influence of narcotics. However, he stressed that this figure likely underestimates the true scale of the problem.
To address the situation, the Government plans to introduce stricter laws, including a special licensing system for passenger transport drivers who undergo proper training. The Minister also said that drivers found to be addicted to drugs will be directed towards rehabilitation programmes rather than facing punishment alone.
“These measures are aimed at reducing accidents and ensuring the safety of passengers and other road users,” he said, adding that improving discipline and professionalism in the transport sector is a key priority for the Government.
