Sri Lanka is experiencing a concerning rate of accidental deaths, with approximately four individuals dying every three hours from various preventable causes, according to Dr. Samitha Sirithunga, a public health specialist at the Ministry of Health’s Non-Communicable Diseases Unit.
Dr. Sirithunga identified drowning, poisoning, animal attacks, road traffic accidents, and domestic accidents as the leading causes of these fatalities. Road accidents alone account for about 25 to 27 percent of the total deaths.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Indika Hapugoda reported that in 2023, there were 2,341 deaths resulting from 2,320 fatal road accidents. This number increased in 2024 to 2,521 deaths from 2,403 fatal crashes. In the first half of 2025, 1,332 people have died in 1,256 fatal road accidents.
Public transport-related accidents are a particular concern. In the first six months of 2025, 60 deaths were linked to private bus accidents, while 30 fatalities involved state-run SLTB buses.
Police data also revealed that nearly 80,000 drunk drivers were arrested within the first four months of this year, highlighting the ongoing challenge of driving under the influence.
The World Health Organization has set a global target to reduce accident-related deaths by 50% by 2030, emphasizing the urgent need for Sri Lanka to strengthen its safety and prevention strategies.
