State Minister of Transport, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, announced today that the Ministry of Transport is set to issue a Gazette containing updated regulations on speed limits aimed at curbing the alarming rise in road accidents.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Presidential Media Centre, Alagiyawanna highlighted the urgency of the Gazette, which is expected to be released within the next two weeks. The new regulations are part of broader efforts to enhance road safety and reduce fatalities on Sri Lanka’s roads.
The State Minister underscored the severity of the road accident statistics from recent years. In 2023 alone, there were 2,214 reported road accidents resulting in 2,321 deaths. As of June 30th this year, 1,103 road accidents have been reported, leading to 1,154 fatalities, indicating a troubling trend that demands immediate action.
In response to these figures, Alagiyawanna detailed several initiatives already underway within the Transport Ministry. Notably, the National Council for Road Safety has allocated Rs. 50 million to the Sri Lanka Police for the procurement of essential speed control equipment, aiming to enhance enforcement and compliance with future speed limit regulations.
Emphasizing the proactive measures being taken, the State Minister assured the public of the Ministry’s commitment to road safety. He reiterated that the impending Gazette on speed limits is part of a comprehensive strategy to address the root causes of road accidents and improve overall traffic management.
