Fatal Bus Collision in Sri Lanka Claims Five Lives, Over 50 Injured

Colombo, November 10 (Daily Kiran) : A devastating bus collision occurred in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province on November 10, resulting in the deaths of five individuals and injuries to over 50 others. The accident took place on the A9 highway near the Medawachiya-Rambewa route in Anuradhapura district. According to police reports, two buses from the government-run Sri Lanka Transport Board collided head-on, leading to a private bus crashing into them from behind. The injured passengers were promptly transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.

This incident follows a similar tragedy in Kandy district on October 19, where a multi-vehicle accident involving a cement mixer truck claimed at least four lives and injured several others. The police stated that the truck collided with multiple vehicles and pedestrians, resulting in serious injuries for some victims.

In September, Sri Lanka’s police identified 712 locations across the country with a high risk of road accidents. Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya revealed that data on these accident-prone areas has been compiled and shared with relevant authorities to enhance road safety measures.

As of 2026, Sri Lanka has recorded 1,849 fatal road accidents, an increase of eight compared to the same period last year. The number of deaths from these accidents has also risen by 16 compared to 2025. Weerasuriya noted that pedestrians and motorcyclists are the most affected groups. Many pedestrian fatalities occurred while individuals were walking or standing by the roadside, while motorcyclists often collided with stationary objects or roadside barriers, rather than other vehicles.

Road accidents continue to pose a significant challenge in Sri Lanka, with police reporting a total of 2,562 fatal accidents in 2025.