Four people, including a four-year-old child, were killed in separate road accidents reported across Sri Lanka, police said.
In Kalapaluwawa, Welikada, the four-year-old died after the motorcycle they were riding on overturned and was struck by a car near the Ambagaha Junction. The child was rushed to the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) but succumbed to their injuries, NewsFirst reported. Police said the motorcyclist had been travelling at excessive speed and lost control; the driver of the car was arrested.
In Kolonna, one rider died when two motorcycles collided, according to Ada Derana. In Dambulla, a 44-year-old woman was killed when a tipper truck veered off the road and struck three pedestrians. In Puliyankulam on the A9 highway, a 23-year-old motorcyclist died after veering into a road safety barrier.
The deaths add to Sri Lanka’s persistently high road-accident toll, which claims several lives on the country’s roads each week. Police have repeatedly appealed to motorists to reduce speed, avoid overtaking recklessly and ensure child passengers are transported safely.
The fatalities come as authorities move to tighten road-safety enforcement, including a newly announced requirement for passenger buses to undergo mandatory roadworthiness inspections at regular mileage intervals. Investigations into each of the accidents are continuing.
