Government Targets 2029 for Drastic Reduction in Road Accidents

Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Bimal Rathnayake, announced the government's objective to significantly reduce road accidents and fatalities by 2029. He stated that over 2,700 people die annually due to road accidents in Sri Lanka. The Minister made these remarks at a special workshop organized by the National Transport Medical Institute, focusing on random drug testing awareness. Rathnayake highlighted that while the government has invested in road development and infrastructure, ensuring road safety ultimately depends on proper training and discipline among road users. He revealed that driver-related issues account for 53% of accidents, with 15-18% involving drug use, underscoring the critical need for adherence to the National Transport Action Plan.