Authorities issued two safety warnings on Sinhala and Tamil New Year Day, as firework-related injuries increase and festival traffic violations draw police enforcement action.
Firework accidents on the rise
Dr. Samitha Sirithunga, Community Consultant and Head of the Accident Prevention Unit at the Ministry of Health’s Non-Communicable Disease Bureau, said fireworks-related accidents have noticeably increased during the New Year season. He urged the public to exercise extreme caution when using fireworks and to be mindful of the safety of pets and animals.
The warning follows a festive season that has already seen 29,000 hospital admissions from accidents and 49 road fatalities in the preceding week.
DIG warns festival organisers
Deputy Inspector General of Police for Traffic Control and Road Safety, W.P.J. Senadheera, issued a strict warning to organisers of New Year festivals — including bicycle races — to adhere to existing traffic laws.
Since the launch of the police WhatsApp reporting number last week, 23 complaints have been received and legal action initiated against 12 individuals. The DIG warned that organisers who block roads or fail to obtain proper permits will face prosecution.
Police have deployed 8,000 officers for traffic management and expressway CCTV monitoring during the festive period.
