A total of 10,144 people have died in road accidents in Sri Lanka between 2021 and 2025, while a further 112,415 people have sustained injuries, Deputy Health Minister Dr Hansaka Wijemuni told Parliament.
Responding to a question raised by Opposition MP Dr Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam, he said the figures represented an annual average of approximately 2,536 deaths and 22,483 injuries.
He further revealed that around 25,000 people become temporarily or permanently disabled each year due to road accidents.
Highlighting the economic impact of road accidents, Dr Wijemuni said international estimates indicated that productivity losses caused by road crashes account for between 3% and 5% of a country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He said the Government had identified emergency and accident care as a major concern in the health sector and was taking steps to improve facilities at hospitals across the country.
Several hospital emergency treatment units had been left partially completed when the current Government assumed office, and measures were now being taken to complete them, he added.
The Deputy Minister said plans had also been finalised to equip emergency treatment units in all hospitals, including rural hospitals, with the necessary medical equipment and personnel.
A substantial allocation is expected to be made in the 2027 Budget for this purpose, with improvements also planned for related services, including blood transfusion facilities and operating theatres.
Dr Wijemuni further said the Health Ministry was working with the Ministry of Transport and Highways to address road accidents, while conducting its own research into measures that could be taken within the health sector to help prevent accidents.
