The Ministry of Transport has announced that wearing seat belts will be mandatory for all passengers traveling on Sri Lanka’s expressways, with the rule to be implemented in two phases.
From August 1, 2025, all passengers in light vehicles, including those seated in the rear, will be required to wear seat belts while on expressways. Starting September 1, 2025, the regulation will be extended to include passengers of all vehicle types, including buses and lorries.
Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Rathnayake confirmed the directive during an inspection visit to the Colombo Central Bus Stand on Monday (01), citing the rising number of road fatalities as the key reason for the policy change.
“Too many lives are lost due to preventable road accidents. This regulation is part of a broader national effort to reduce casualties and improve road safety,” the Minister said.
Although seat belt use has been legally mandated since October 1, 2011, enforcement has been limited mainly to drivers and front-seat passengers of light vehicles. Passengers in buses and lorries were largely exempt until now.
Effective immediately, seat belts are now also mandatory for drivers of buses and lorries, as part of an expanded safety push. The National Transport Commission (NTC) has pledged strict enforcement of this rule, with NTC Chairman Eng. P.A. Chandrapala warning that drivers who fail to comply will face legal action.
Chandrapala also noted that poor adherence to existing seat belt laws has contributed to a rise in road accidents over the years, underscoring the urgency of stricter implementation.
The Ministry emphasized that the new directive is not just about legal enforcement, but part of a national strategy to strengthen public safety on Sri Lanka’s roads.
