The Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development has urged all motorcyclists to wear Sri Lanka Standards (SLS)-certified helmets, emphasizing that the use of approved safety helmets is mandatory to protect lives and reduce the risk of serious injuries on the roads.
Speaking at a media briefing on Friday, National Road Safety Council Chairman Manjula Kularatne said the awareness campaign forms part of the Government’s efforts to improve road safety and enforce helmet regulations.
He noted that the Government’s two-year National Road Safety Action Plan includes 96 measures aimed at reducing road accidents, of which 30 have already been implemented.
According to official statistics, more than 2,500 people lose their lives in road accidents each year in Sri Lanka, with over 1,000 fatalities involving motorcycle crashes. Most motorcycle-related deaths are attributed to severe head injuries.
Police data shows that 1,626 fatal road accidents were reported between January 1 and July 31, 2026, compared to 1,585 during the same period in 2025. During the first seven months of 2026, 749 people were killed in motorcycle accidents, including 13 children under the age of 18.
Kularatne said a nationwide programme is being carried out in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI), the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) and Sri Lanka Police to promote the use of approved helmets.
Authorities added that police will continue to enforce helmet regulations through regular inspections while encouraging both the use and production of SLS-certified helmets.
