Three people, including a seven-year-old girl, were killed in a collision between a three-wheeler and a car in Delgoda on Wednesday, police said.
The crash happened on the New Kandy Road within the Meegahawatta Police Division. According to police, a three-wheeler travelling from Biyagama towards Delgoda attempted to turn right and struck a car coming in the opposite direction.
Five occupants of the three-wheeler — the driver, two women and two children — were seriously injured and taken to the Udupila Divisional Hospital. The three-wheeler driver, one of the women and a young girl later died while receiving treatment.
Police identified those killed as a 69-year-old man from Delgoda, and a 39-year-old woman and her seven-year-old daughter from Siyambalape.
A girl travelling in the car was also injured and was admitted to the Ragama Hospital.
Meegahawatta Police are continuing investigations into the circumstances of the crash.
The deaths add to a road toll that has drawn repeated official concern this year. Authorities have moved in recent weeks to tighten enforcement of existing traffic rules, including a decision to strictly enforce seat belt requirements for all expressway passengers from September 19 and a shift to digital payment of traffic fines.
