The grace period granted for vehicle owners to install rear seat belts has ended, and wearing seat belts is now mandatory for all passengers travelling on Sri Lanka’s expressways, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of Traffic Control and Road Safety W.P.J. Senadheera said.
He said vehicles that do not have the required rear seat belts will no longer be permitted to enter the expressway network following the expiry of the final grace period at midnight on September 19.
The regulation was initially introduced through a Gazette notification issued by the Transport Minister on September 26, 2025. However, implementation was temporarily suspended following concerns over vehicles imported into Sri Lanka without rear seat belts.
Authorities subsequently granted several extensions, including a final three-month extension announced on June 26, allowing vehicle owners sufficient time to install the required rear and middle seat belts.
DIG Senadheera said passengers themselves would be held responsible for failing to wear seat belts while travelling on expressways.
Accordingly, a passenger found travelling without a seat belt, whether seated in the front or rear, will be liable for a Rs. 1,000 fine. The fine will be imposed on the passenger rather than the driver.
He warned that failure to pay the fine could result in court proceedings against the offender.
The Expressway Police Division has tightened enforcement based on studies indicating that the failure to wear seat belts contributes significantly to serious injuries and deaths in road accidents.
DIG Senadheera also urged motorists and passengers to make wearing seat belts a habit on ordinary roads as well, stressing that the measure is essential for passenger safety.
